This is where I get picky on words. Today, in the middle of reading an otherwise enjoyable romance, I was brought to a complete stop by the misuse of the word “ancestors.”
The author speaks of the founder of the main character’s line, and then assures us “his ancestors went on in that way.” It is clear the “his” refers to the founder.
I don’t know why but this is a peculiar American mistake. You rarely find it elsewhere. And it gives me a complete sense of disorientation EVERY time.
“Ancestors” come before the person. (from Ante — before.)
DESCENDANTS are those who come after the person.
I have at times wondered if the peculiar American antipathy to this term comes from the fact that it comes from descendere and implies that one’s descendants are less than oneself — something that is a denial of the whole concept of continuous improvement.
Such a sentiment is, of course, laudable. But attacking the meaning of the words is not. And confusing a poor writer who all of a sudden goes “oh, time travel! It’s science fiction, after all” is definitely NOT a goodness.
According To Hoyt 
Sounds like pure ignorance to me. Lord knows I’ve occasionally looked up a word and discovered it meant something very different from what I thought.
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