Originally Posted by
urbanknight
While I do believe "collision" might be a better term, I see this argument from time to time and wonder where it comes from. By its very definition, accident does NOT imply an act of god or something beyond anyone's control. It simply means the consequence was not intended, and it definitely leaves room for fault.
Look at more definitions. The Oxford definition indicates "luck", "chance", "fate", "destiny", "providence" (god) as synonyms. I suspect you realize this but are ignoring it here for some reason.
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionari...ent?q=accident
Note that the dictionaries list the "collision" meaning separate from the "luck" meaning. The problem is that people are familiar with both (and the other definition can color what they read).
People don't compartmentalize definitions. So, while the author might intend one meaning, the audience often gets another (or is influenced by the other). Good writers choose words based on being aware of this.
Originally Posted by
urbanknight
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
accident (noun)
1. an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance
2. an unfortunate event resulting especially from carelessness or ignorance
There is a lot of "baggage" with the word accident containing things things like "unexpected" and "unforeseen" and "luck" and "chance" and "providence".
This baggage actually is trying to explain (poorly!) the cause of the event. When, especially at the first report, the explanation isn't known.
Much of the baggage in accident suggests "unavoidable" (due to "luck" or "chance" or "twist of fate").
While people using "accident" aren't intending to include this baggage the baggage is there regardless.
Of course. some of the events called "accidents" aren't "unplanned": people can intentionally run into things.
"Collision" merely describes what happens. It doesn't provide any explanation. It's a much-more neutral word.