From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

"In the same article, on the same page, Economist
magazine called one person a "China
hawk" and another an "anti-China hawk".
What does that mean? The dictionary tells us
that a hawk is a person who preys on others
or who advocates the use of force to reach
his goals. Is a "China hawk" pro-China? Or is
a "China hawk" the same thing as an "anti-China
hawk"? That is not logical, but it is the
kind of sloppy writing we are seeing everywhere.
2 months after this there was an article
in another magazine I respect that
referred to "deficit hawks" in a discussion of
a budget bill in congress. What does that
mean?"

-- from American Record Guide March/April 2026,
page 158




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From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

On Thursday, Pluted Pup exclaimed wildly:

"In the same article, on the same page, Economist
magazine called one person a "China
hawk" and another an "anti-China hawk".
What does that mean? The dictionary tells us
that a hawk is a person who preys on others
or who advocates the use of force to reach
his goals. Is a "China hawk" pro-China? Or is
a "China hawk" the same thing as an "anti-China
hawk"? That is not logical, but it is the
kind of sloppy writing we are seeing everywhere.
2 months after this there was an article
in another magazine I respect that
referred to "deficit hawks" in a discussion of
a budget bill in congress. What does that
mean?"

-- from American Record Guide March/April 2026,
page 158

It would certainly be able to comment on the quoted extract if we also
had the context /they/ were commenting on. Otherwise, we've just got a
random bit opinion.

That said, I'm going to make a wild guess that in the bits referenced
in the your reference, "hawk" means "fervent supporter". That would
certainly be my take on "deficit hawk", which seems like a familiar
usage to me (in the US).

However, my take on "hawk" mostly goes back to the 1960s, and debates
about the Viet Nam war, where it referred to those supporting military
action [to halt an armed communist takeover of certain countries].

/dps
--
But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason
to 'be happy.'"
Viktor Frankl
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From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

Pluted Pup:

"In the same article, on the same page, Economist
magazine called one person a "China
hawk" and another an "anti-China hawk".
What does that mean? The dictionary tells us
that a hawk is a person who preys on others
or who advocates the use of force to reach
his goals. Is a "China hawk" pro-China? Or is
a "China hawk" the same thing as an "anti-China
hawk"? That is not logical, but it is the
kind of sloppy writing we are seeing everywhere.
2 months after this there was an article
in another magazine I respect that
referred to "deficit hawks" in a discussion of
a budget bill in congress. What does that
mean?"

-- from American Record Guide March/April 2026,
page 158

"Anti-China hawk" sounds like emphasis: a hawk who is uncompromisingly
against China (vs. one who merely takes a hard line in China policy).
--
John
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From Newsgroup: alt.usage.english

On Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:35:08 +0000, John Dunlop
<dunlop.john@ymail.com> wrote:

Pluted Pup:

"In the same article, on the same page, Economist
magazine called one person a "China
hawk" and another an "anti-China hawk".
What does that mean? The dictionary tells us
that a hawk is a person who preys on others
or who advocates the use of force to reach
his goals. Is a "China hawk" pro-China? Or is
a "China hawk" the same thing as an "anti-China
hawk"? That is not logical, but it is the
kind of sloppy writing we are seeing everywhere.
2 months after this there was an article
in another magazine I respect that
referred to "deficit hawks" in a discussion of
a budget bill in congress. What does that
mean?"

-- from American Record Guide March/April 2026,
page 158

"Anti-China hawk" sounds like emphasis: a hawk who is uncompromisingly >against China (vs. one who merely takes a hard line in China policy).

I would understand both "a China hawk" and and "anti-China hawk" as
referring to someone who favours and advocates aggressive military
action against China, but not necessarily against other countries.
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2