Commonly confused words part 2: ‘Divisive’
Today we’re looking at a word I was getting wrong up until the age of about 30. Not that I’m embarrassed - there are nearly a million words in the English language, and I’ve only got one brain.
And as is the case with a lot of word mix-ups, my confusion stemmed from the fact that the word in question sounded so much like another.
Word: Divisive
Common error: Used as a word to mean manipulative or sly.
Actually means: Something that splits or divides opinion, often resulting in hostility or controversy.
Example: ‘Artificial Intelligence has become such a divisive topic; some hail it as humankind’s future, some consider it the end.’
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From the Latin word 'Dividere' meaning to divide.
Word confused with: 'Device.'
I thought divisive meant acting in a way that was underhand or to manipulate - e.g. to use a device or tool to persuade someone or engineer a situation. Because a device isn’t just a literal term meaning a tool or piece of equipment to achieve an outcome. Metaphorically it means a method of influencing someone or an outcome such as: ‘He hadn’t really hurt his leg that badly. The limp was merely a device to generate sympathy and get out of doing the sponsored walk.’
Another great example of this is from Toby Belch in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. On hearing the plan to trick Malvolio into believing Olivia loves him, he says rather gleefully: ‘I smell a device.’ Meaning, I sense we’re going to play a joke or game with him, and it sounds like fun.
So…
The word I used for years — 'Devicive' — isn’t actually a word at all. Interestingly though, while device and divide have different meanings, they both do come from the same word originally. As already mentioned, divisive comes from the Latin word 'Dividere,' but this is also where device originates. Its original meaning was to use a particular method to achieve, sculpt or hone something, which is probably the link to the meaning 'divide.' Being 'left to one’s own devices' also promotes this idea.
Best uses in popular culture:
The Disturbed song 'Divisive' from the album of the same name. (because it kicks butt)
So there you have it. It’s easy to think because ‘divisive’ sounds so much like 'device' that it means to manipulate or describes something that’s used to achieve a purpose. But if you want a word to describe something that splits opinion - particularly if it results in hostility or animosity, you want the word 'divisive.'
Enjoyed this blog? Read more on my commonly confused words here.
