The Worst Phrase in 2020

It’s inaccurate, it’s misleading, and it’s popular. It’s the phrase social distancing. Who’s the dyslexic bureaucrat who thought it up? During the pandemic, we’re supposed to exercise a physical distance! Social distance means you don’t communicate, signal, relate to someone. Every single political cartoon I’ve seen implies social relations when it mentions pandemic-related (ahem) physical distancing, whether it approves or disapproves of the practice. Every line I’ve been in, every grocery store, every visit to any place where other people are present, we interact socially even when we stay six feet apart.

I’m not the only person with this opinion. To quote The Washington Post:

Is ‘social distancing’ the wrong term? Expert prefers ‘physical distancing,’ and the WHO agrees.

Read the whole article. In fact, google “physical distancing vs social distancing” to see a whole lot of articles on the subject.

I just read an FBI document about pandemic personnel management. It uses “physical distancing” three times, and “social distancing” not at all. At least someone in DC knows good English!

Here’s a picture from the National Park Service. They have the good sense not to use an adjective at all:

I understand that Florida suggests that six feet is the length of an alligator.

Say “do six feet,” “physical distance,” even just plain “distance.” But don’t say “social distancing.” Ick.

PS—”Correct” usage does appear now and then, such as here: https://interestingengineering.com/new-physical-distancing-seat-concept-proposes-a-protective-way-to-fly

and here:

From mask wearing to physical distancing, individuals wield a lot of power in how the coronavirus outbreak plays out. Behavioral experts reveal what might be prompting people to act — or not. https://www.knowablemagazine.org/article/mind/2020/how-we-make-decisions-during-pandemic

and here:

Benefits of physical distancing: A study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases offers additional evidence that physical distancing can slow the spread of COVID-19. (The New England Journal of Medicine referencing The Lancet. Both are medical journals. https://www.jwatch.org/fw116791/2020/07/01/covid-19-physical-distancings-benefits-antibody-test

Ha! I even found a comic that uses the correct term. Third panel: