Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by jasonlotito 21 days ago
> In the US we sometimes use the term “bribe” in morally neutral or even positive situations.

I live here in the US. I've NEVER heard the term bribe in a neutral or even positive way. It might be used in a mocking way, as if to mock the idea of bribes, but never seriously.

So, unless you are confusing that mocking nature as morally neutral or even positive, this is incorrect.

2 comments

I also live in the US. It's uncommon, but is used that way sometimes.
If you want to use a thing utterly incorrectly sometimes get ready to be met with confused responses.
You've never heard a parent or teacher say they bribed their kids for good behavior?
Never in a morally neutral or positive way!

You "Bribe" your kid with extra time on the iPad. You don't "Bribe" them with wholesome things.

Not in a serious way, no (hence my 'mocking' commentary). It's always playing off the joke or idea of "bribe". But if someone said "I bribed a police officer" wouldn't take it as a joke.

Edit: And to be clear, I wouldn't describe either of those are "morally neutral or even positive situations."

But please, by all means tell me how "Foo Company bribed professional Bar" is used positively and frequently enough that the gp makes sense.