Declaring that by relaying the common usage definition of ‘classical music’ I must be ignorant of the classical era
No, it’s just that by going along with that common usage you thereby decline to give a strong signal of non-ignorance. “Weak evidence” of ignorance, if you like.
We still use the word atom
I doubt that the common usage of “classical” preceded the naming of the historical period. In fact I suspect that the former did not become widespread until after it was already (erroneously) perceived that that sort of music was “old” and “over”.
No, it’s just that by going along with that common usage you thereby decline to give a strong signal of non-ignorance. “Weak evidence” of ignorance, if you like.
I doubt that the common usage of “classical” preceded the naming of the historical period. In fact I suspect that the former did not become widespread until after it was already (erroneously) perceived that that sort of music was “old” and “over”.