Carnage

[hellywelly4]

I've just read an article in the DM on line, which states that there was absolute 'carnage' after a tornado swept through a Welsh village. Funny, I would have thought that such a terrible disaster would have had more news coverage. It doesn't say how many people were actually killed, but to use the word 'carnage', it must be quite a large number. wouldn't you think????

[Mamyalynne]

Fortunate no one reported hurt, yes.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3945892/95mph-winds-TORNADO-sweep-Welsh-holiday-village-causing-absolute-carnage.html

[Mamyalynne]

People often choose the wrong words on the hoof or when shocked or shaken.

[Jackdaw33]

Agree with OP. Total misuse of the word.

[bednobs]

i see they write "absolute carnage" implying that are using someone else's direct words, rather than their own

[hellywelly4]

It's becoming more and more common to use this word inappropriately.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes the paper should have used a more appropriate headline and used Mr Scarrot's words in the text - he was obviously rather upset being involved.

[Buenchico]

The Oxford English Dictionary includes this definition of 'carnage':
"fig. Widespread damage or ruin, devastation; chaos, disorder"
and gives multiple references to its use in that form, dating back as far as 1848.

So, much as I dislike the Daily Mail, I find it hard to criticise their sub-editor here.

[hellywelly4]

Before I posted this I checked with Dictionary.com and their definition is:

the slaughter of a great number of people, as in battle; butchery; massacre.
2.
Archaic. dead bodies, as of those slain in battle.

[Buenchico]

Dictionary.com is a reasonable source of information but it's based on an American print publication (Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary) and simply isn't in the same league as the OED.

I need three screenshots to show the OED's full definition:
http://oi63.tinypic.com/1zoda9k.jpg

http://oi65.tinypic.com/xgmkiw.jpg

http://oi65.tinypic.com/10fv13b.jpg

Most UK public libraries subscribe to the OED's service (which otherwise costs over £200 p.a.). Try entering your library card number in the bottom field here to see if you can get into their website. (My Suffolk Libraries card no longer works but my Essex Libraries one does):
http://www.oed.com/loginpage

[mikey4444]

Helly.....we are OK here down in the South, but other places farther North didn't get off so easy :::::::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-38014691