This is a discussion I find very interesting. I have a group of friends who came together as part of a Men’s Therapy Group. We all had one issue or another that we brought to the table, including various flavors of addiction. Because of the nature of the group, we tended to be pretty specific in our use of language.
We used the term “cheat” to refer to situations that were pretty pre-meditated, especially when it involved succumbing to one of our addictions. When it wasn’t really planned or premeditated and it was more of an unplanned situation, we most often referred to it as a “slip” or “falling off the wagon”. Both of those terms tend to illicit a visual of something that wasn’t specifically intended.
It could be argued that this is just semantics, and to some extent that would be valid. However, what is semantics, but the study of the true meaning of language constructs?
Because this group of men started off in a formal group therapy situation, we had an explicit conversation about how we’d use language. I’m certainly not suggesting there’s a need for this forum to have such a conversation. I think it’s a bit less formal than that.
I for one, however, will tend to limit the use of the word “cheat” in my own posts to mean explicitly something that was planned or intentional. I will tend more toward “slip” to mean something unintended or unplanned. I think it’s more accurate and appropriately kind. I hope those who read this thread will consider something similar.
Please take this post in the spirit in which it’s intended. Something to consider, perhaps discuss, but certainly not an attempt to regulate anyone’s preferred manner of expressing themselves.