Yep. I hate beets!
Well…. that's actually not true. I don't actually “hate” beets, I just think that when it comes to flavor, they have very poor taste.
Hate is defined as – “the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action.”
A feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action.... Demands action. I don’t know about you, but to me the word “demand” sounds rather threatening. “I demand you do this!” or “I demand you do that!” ... Or else!!
I hate beets, therefore I must take action! I must obliterate every beet from the face of the earth! Egad! What about the (weird) person out there who loves beets? It doesn’t matter. Since I hate beets, I must take action and destroy them all!!! And that include any beet lovers too! (bunch of weirdos!)
A bit over the top, don’t you think?
Now how about that first part of the definition of ‘hate’... “the emotion of intense dislike”. That doesn’t sound very threatening. Dislike. What is ‘dislike’? Dislike is defined as - a feeling of aversion or antipathy. Aversion simply means to “turn away, or avert one’s eyes from”. Apathy comes from the Greek words “anti” (against) and “pathos” (feeling). So basically, apathy means “opposed in feeling”. Nothing very ominous there either.
I dislike beets. No anger there. It’s simply my preference. If you like beets then so be it. Enjoy them (although I still think you’re a bit weird).
Perhaps we should just dislike instead of hate. After all, no one is going to like everything … well…except for Brussels sports. Everyone loves Brussels sports!