steep learning curve

[ziacalgal]

All right now, this is driving me nuts. I've got to set everybody straight (sounds like me, eh

Comments

[phyxius]

Ihat phrase is going the way of "begs the question" and "I could care less"

[rubrick]

Unfortunately, while from the standpoint of graphing convention you're absolutely right (and I believe that's how the term was first used in technical literature), people naturally associate "steep" with "difficult", and "gentle" with "easy". Since most people spend more time climbing hills than studying time/effect graphs, shaking that association is nearly impossible. As a result, "steep learning curve" might mean either of two diametrically opposite things.

Because of this, I avoid the phrase altogether (or if I decide I really want to use it, I go with "difficult learning curve").