Skunked term

A skunked term is a word or phrase that becomes difficult to use because it is evolving from one meaning to another, perhaps inconsistent or even opposite usage, or that becomes difficult to use due to other controversy surrounding the term. Purists may insist on the old usage, while descriptivists may be more open to newer usages. Readers may not know which sense is meant, especially when prescriptivists insist on a meaning that accords with interests that often conflict.^{[citation needed]}

The term was coined by the lexicographer Bryan A. Garner in Garner's Modern American Usage and has since been adopted by some other style guides.

Garner recommends avoiding such terms if their use may distract readers from the intended meaning of a text.

Some terms, such as "fulsome", may become skunked, and then eventually revert to their original meaning over time.