zlacker

"Defund the police" is very unfortunate terminology. It is viscerally appealing to the groups most upset about police brutality, but can scare away potential allies, who might get the impression that "defund" means doing away with any kind of armed law enforcement and leaving society at the mercy of violent criminals.

"Defund" is a good example of a term which has a precise, nuanced, technical definition to its main users but which shouldn't be used in common speech because it is so easily and terribly misunderstood. For another example, think about the word "intercourse". It can just mean "communication"... but what is the first idea that comes to most people's mind when people come across that word?