Talk:ascribe

Use in sociology
This term is used in sociology concerning a persons status. an "ascribed status" is a status based on race, gender, and age. Why they use the word "ascribed" in this way is curious because the general defition of the word ascribe seems to have no common sense connection to the meaning placed on the term used by sociology.
 * Does the first definition (to attribute a cause or characteristic to someone or something) not fit what you're saying? Age, race, or gender (characteristics) are being applied to a person, thus making those characteristics part of a perso's "ascribed status." 204.99.250.45 12:36, 14 December 2010 (UTC)

Tea room discussion
I would like to propose we merge the first three senses as one. It is too confusing to be so pedantic, and really they mean more or less the same thing. ---&gt; Tooironic 02:44, 18 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Go for it, I say. Tidying it up would allow for removal of the Websters tag. -- A LGRIF  talk 14:00, 18 March 2010 (UTC)
 * OK. Done :) ---&gt; Tooironic 22:02, 18 March 2010 (UTC)