Outside the Beltway

Gaming the System

James Joyner
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Steven Den Beste:

Apropos nothing in particular, a couple of days ago I discovered that neither Encarta dictionary as installed on my computer nor any of the online dictionaries listed here include any definition for the word “game” used as a transitive verb in the phrase “game the system”.

It actually took me a couple of days to come up with a reasonable definition: To abuse a system without technically breaking its rules so as to get an advantageous result that isn’t deserved.

I don’t have any idea how or where I first heard that usage of the word “game” but it isn’t recent. I wonder why none of the dictionaries have picked up on it yet.

That is, indeed, weird. His definition strikes me as a good one.

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7 responses to “Gaming the System”

  1. bithead Avatar
    bithead

    Well, rather than using the word “Game”, perhaps the phrase “Kerry the System” would fit better?

  2. Anderson Avatar
    Anderson

    The Shorter OED doesn’t have it either, looking under both “game” and “system.”

  3. Art Avatar
    Art

    What about the system gaming the people… We already have the robotics in place.

  4. Steve Verdon Avatar
    Steve Verdon

    I think that is a bad definition in that it isn’t necessarily abuse, IMO. For example, many firms “game the system” when setting prices. They aren’t abusing the system, but being good business people and trying to earn the highest profit for their shareholders/investors…precisely what they are tasked to do.

  5. Caliban Darklock Avatar
    Caliban Darklock

    I don’t agree with the definition. I would propose:

    “To use existing conventions and rules in an unanticipated fashion for the purpose of achieving an unusual result.”

    There are value judgments in the original definition: “abuse”, “without technically breaking”, “advantageous result”, “isn’t deserved”. These are not appropriate.

  6. Steve Verdon Avatar
    Steve Verdon

    Caliban,

    I think “advantageous result” should be left in, maybe something like,

    “To use existing conventions and rules in an unanticipated fashion for the purpose of achieving an unusual, often advantageous, result.”

    After all, why go to the trouble of being novel and showing ingenuity if not to get an advantage of some kind?

  7. RJN Avatar
    RJN

    “To use existing conventions and rules in an unanticipated fashion for the purpose of achieving an advantageous, result.”

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