What is the source for 5e defaulting to plain English readings of non-game terms?

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In many discussions involving rules interpretations the meaning of words is often called into question. Often, people will claim that if the game doesn't define the term that it defaults to the plain English reading of the word.



Is this stated somewhere explicitly in the rules or in developer comments? What is the source (or sources) for this claim?










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    In many discussions involving rules interpretations the meaning of words is often called into question. Often, people will claim that if the game doesn't define the term that it defaults to the plain English reading of the word.



    Is this stated somewhere explicitly in the rules or in developer comments? What is the source (or sources) for this claim?










    share|improve this question























      up vote
      7
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      7
      down vote

      favorite











      In many discussions involving rules interpretations the meaning of words is often called into question. Often, people will claim that if the game doesn't define the term that it defaults to the plain English reading of the word.



      Is this stated somewhere explicitly in the rules or in developer comments? What is the source (or sources) for this claim?










      share|improve this question













      In many discussions involving rules interpretations the meaning of words is often called into question. Often, people will claim that if the game doesn't define the term that it defaults to the plain English reading of the word.



      Is this stated somewhere explicitly in the rules or in developer comments? What is the source (or sources) for this claim?







      dnd-5e






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      asked 1 hour ago









      Rubiksmoose

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          Jeremy Crawford (who makes "official" rulings, see this related question) has affirmed that this is indeed the way the rules are supposed to be read in this tweet:




          Unless the rules explicitly expand, narrow, or completely redefine a word, that word retains the meaning it has in idiomatic English. #DnD







          share|improve this answer


















          • 3




            Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
            – SevenSidedDie♦
            36 mins ago










          • @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
            – Sdjz
            6 mins ago










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          up vote
          7
          down vote













          Jeremy Crawford (who makes "official" rulings, see this related question) has affirmed that this is indeed the way the rules are supposed to be read in this tweet:




          Unless the rules explicitly expand, narrow, or completely redefine a word, that word retains the meaning it has in idiomatic English. #DnD







          share|improve this answer


















          • 3




            Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
            – SevenSidedDie♦
            36 mins ago










          • @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
            – Sdjz
            6 mins ago














          up vote
          7
          down vote













          Jeremy Crawford (who makes "official" rulings, see this related question) has affirmed that this is indeed the way the rules are supposed to be read in this tweet:




          Unless the rules explicitly expand, narrow, or completely redefine a word, that word retains the meaning it has in idiomatic English. #DnD







          share|improve this answer


















          • 3




            Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
            – SevenSidedDie♦
            36 mins ago










          • @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
            – Sdjz
            6 mins ago












          up vote
          7
          down vote










          up vote
          7
          down vote









          Jeremy Crawford (who makes "official" rulings, see this related question) has affirmed that this is indeed the way the rules are supposed to be read in this tweet:




          Unless the rules explicitly expand, narrow, or completely redefine a word, that word retains the meaning it has in idiomatic English. #DnD







          share|improve this answer














          Jeremy Crawford (who makes "official" rulings, see this related question) has affirmed that this is indeed the way the rules are supposed to be read in this tweet:




          Unless the rules explicitly expand, narrow, or completely redefine a word, that word retains the meaning it has in idiomatic English. #DnD








          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 43 mins ago

























          answered 1 hour ago









          Sdjz

          9,16534489




          9,16534489







          • 3




            Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
            – SevenSidedDie♦
            36 mins ago










          • @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
            – Sdjz
            6 mins ago












          • 3




            Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
            – SevenSidedDie♦
            36 mins ago










          • @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
            – Sdjz
            6 mins ago







          3




          3




          Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
          – SevenSidedDie♦
          36 mins ago




          Using “natural language” was one of the original design goals. If you could dig that up, that plus Crawford would provide the foundation and the affirmation of the foundation’s continued importance.
          – SevenSidedDie♦
          36 mins ago












          @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
          – Sdjz
          6 mins ago




          @SevenSidedDie Apparently the original design goals are lost and my search is not turning out any differently. I may dig some more later.
          – Sdjz
          6 mins ago

















           

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