¡Viva la diferencia!
Quite frequently during informal conversations the words 'disinterested' and 'uninterested' are used interchangeably. However, the two words have different meanings in most usages and I believe this distinction is worth preserving.
As in the case of 'accuracy' and 'precision' being able to describe both different and similar results depending on the circumstances, 'disinterested' and 'uninterested' can describe both different and the same or similar situations depending on their use.
—Different meaning: Her mind wandered during the lecture because she was uninterested in the topic. She filed the lawsuit, so she is not a disinterested witness.
—Similar meaning: In a sporting event where you don't have a favorite team or a bet on the game, you can be simultaneously disinterested in the outcome and, as a result, uninterested in the game (you don't watch on TV). So, in this case, 'disinterested' takes on the additional burden of expanding its meaning by merging and absorbing the concept of 'uninterested.'
In most cases,'uninterested' implies that the person is indifferent, unconcerned, bored or not engaged. 'Disinterested' in formal writing implies the person is impartial, neutral, unbiased, objective, and, less frequently, has no stake in the outcome. Ideally, a referee or judge should officiate as a disinterested observer and not be uninterested (he should be engaged) in the game or proceedings.
Conversely, a taxpayer can be uninterested in the passing of a new tax law but not disinterested in it because the taxpayer ultimately has a financial stake in the new law.
The traditional distinction between 'disinterested' and 'uninterested' could eventually be lost because both the prefixes -dis and -un mean 'not.' John Algeo in his book on the development of language opines: "That change causes no harm to language as communication. We have merely lost a synonym for impartial and gained one for indifferent."
Let's hope the rallying cry of the descriptive linguists, "If it sticks around, it's correct," is not operative in this case, and sloppy conversational usage does not cause the merging of meaning of these two words that clearly describe a distinct difference. ¡Viva la diferencia!
Edited by Elaine Burns
