Question of the Day #104

"United CEO Oscar Munoz initially made things worse with a tone-deaf apology for 'having to re-accommodate' customers. "
From this article at the Huffington Post.

上記の文で、tone-deafの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "tone-deaf" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味：

本来は、「音痴の」という意味であるが、metaphorとしては、英辞郎の二つ目の訳でいいと思います。


感覚の鈍い、正しい判断［選択］ができない

Answer

I find it interesting that many of the "major" online dictionaries only include the medical meaning of tone-deaf. However, there are some that include the metaphorical meaning as well. According to Your Dictionary:

1. of or demonstrating an inability to recognize the complexity, possible cause for offense, etc. of an issue or situation
2. of or showing a lack of sensitivity to the effect that one's statements or positions have on others

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

Tone-deafは1880年から

となっているが、これは「音痴の」の意味だと思います。もしmetaphorとしての語源がわかったら、ぜひコメントに投稿してください。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Tone-deaf is from 1880

However, I'm pretty sure that this is for the medical definition. If someone can find the origin for the metaphorical use, I'd appreciate it if you would add it to the comments.

Examples

• Some hated his tone-deaf assertion that he has behaved with “lightness”　toward women.
• The story writes itself: ‘President Proves She Is tone-deaf on Economy.’
• This “ surprising option” (as the tone-deaf Times headline calls it) is often viewed as caddish.