Talk:litmus test

RFD discussion: June–September 2022
This request applies only to the political sense (“a question asked of a potential candidate for high office”). There is no doubt that the term is used for questions asked of potential candidates for high office. But is this a separate sense of the figuratively used term litmus test? The term is also used figuratively for questions asked of potential candidates for being a romantic partner, or a member of an activist group, or a new hire for a managerial position. I see no lexical reason for singling out questions to this specific group of potential candidates as being a separate sense. --Lambiam 08:06, 21 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Delete per nom. It might come up in WP under some SCOTUS nominee article, but I also don't see how it's a dictionary entry except maybe as a usex or quote for the general figurative sense. Facts707 (talk) 05:41, 22 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Delete - this is just sense 2. Theknightwho (talk) 13:39, 22 June 2022 (UTC)


 * The translation header both senses is really a sight to behold... &mdash; Fytcha〈 T | L | C 〉 13:43, 22 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Weren't you aware that all languages use the same metaphors? Theknightwho (talk) 13:45, 22 June 2022 (UTC)
 * The header is somewhat curious when three senses are given. --Lambiam 21:52, 22 June 2022 (UTC)
 * It is also incorrect for, which in its original, non-metaphorical sense is not used to test for acidity versus basicity of solutions, but to assay precious metal alloys. --Lambiam 21:58, 22 June 2022 (UTC)


 * Delete per nom. - -sche (discuss) 09:20, 5 July 2022 (UTC)


 * Deleted. - -sche (discuss) 19:24, 1 September 2022 (UTC)