Just as I had assembled my case (!), I found the ROR thread closed so hope it's OK to post a few definitions here in the interest of pouring a drop of oil on troubled waters. Dictionary definitions of "rip-off" (for example) do, invariably, refer to scams, cheating and that kind of thing. Referring to a thesaurus I found this:
rip-off (n)
Synonyms: swindle, con, cheat, swizz, diddle
Rip-off (v)
Synonyms: overcharge, cheat, swindle, do, fleece, diddle, dupe, deceive
overcharge
verb
Definitions:
charge somebody too much: to charge somebody too much money for something
There is no definition for “rip-off” in my 1983 Oxford Dictionary – it must not have existed then. If the meaning of a word can be defined and interpreted so differently and subjectively, it’s hardly a surprise there is little agreement. It would be interesting to have a legal opinion. Based on the synonyms quoted above, there is no single precise definition, which suggests, paradoxically, that opposing interpretations maybe be equally correct. Falling back on legalese (I imagine) it comes down to meaning “what any ordinary reasonable person means" when using a particular phrase or words.
Back to square one! I give up. Time to ask a Judge.
rip-off (n)
Synonyms: swindle, con, cheat, swizz, diddle
Rip-off (v)
Synonyms: overcharge, cheat, swindle, do, fleece, diddle, dupe, deceive
overcharge
verb
Definitions:
charge somebody too much: to charge somebody too much money for something
There is no definition for “rip-off” in my 1983 Oxford Dictionary – it must not have existed then. If the meaning of a word can be defined and interpreted so differently and subjectively, it’s hardly a surprise there is little agreement. It would be interesting to have a legal opinion. Based on the synonyms quoted above, there is no single precise definition, which suggests, paradoxically, that opposing interpretations maybe be equally correct. Falling back on legalese (I imagine) it comes down to meaning “what any ordinary reasonable person means" when using a particular phrase or words.
Back to square one! I give up. Time to ask a Judge.