Is it okay to talk about language as a meta-topic? I try not to stray too far into that, since it’s usually boring for readers. But one thing I was surprised to learn is that “begs the question” is only correct when you’re describing a chain of circular logic. “Raises the question” is apparently the right term for the general case. I felt a little duped, since I’d been using “begs the question” for years without looking into its origins.
But of course, that begs the question of whether language is defined by how people use it. :)
I purposefully "misuse" the phrase "begging the question" to mean the same thing as the grandparent, because I want to do my part to change what this phrase means.
Using "begging the question" to mean something as obscure and unintuitive (as in, it's basically an idiom that must be explained first) as "your question originates from circular logic" is a waste of prime dictionary space.
This term should mean "there is a question that is so blindingly obvious regarding the situation at hand, that it simply begs to be asked" - so, more or less what everyone who didn't have the term explained to them, thinks it's supposed to mean.
But of course, that begs the question of whether language is defined by how people use it. :)