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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Heathen/pagan

Hello,
I have a curiosity about these two words. can I use bothe in the same contexts, or they are not perfect synonimous?
  

Top answer

Hi, You can search for shades of meaning in the dictionary definitions, eg the ones I have attached. But in everyday speech, I see no real difference. Actulally, I seldom hear either word today.

— Clive

  • Hi, You can search for shades of meaning in the dictionary definitions, eg the ones I have attached.
  • But in everyday speech, I see no real difference.
  • Actulally, I seldom hear either word today.
  • They both suggest a feeling of superiority on the part of the speaker, and this attitude is unfashionable today, at least where I live.
  • If we must speak of such matters, we tend to use less judgemental terms like 'non-believer', 'follower of an alternative form of religion'.
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2 Answers
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Hi,

You can search for shades of meaning in the dictionary definitions, eg the ones I have attached.

But in everyday speech, I see no real difference.



Actulally, I seldom hear either word today. They both suggest a feeling of superiority on the part of the speaker, and this attitude is unfashionable today, at least where I live. If we must speak of such matters
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The words are most often used in a historical context. To me, "heathen" feels more pejorative than "pagan"; in a modern context it can be used informally to refer to an person who behaves in an uncivilised way. In my part of the world, I can imagine some groups who try to recreate ancient British traditions (e.g. modern-day "druids") might be happy to refer to themselves as "pagans".
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