Legitimate Scheme

Hong Kong government and banking programs often use the word scheme in the title, such as the Home Ownership Scheme.

In and of itself, the word is harmless. It is the precise word required. However, where I come from, the word scheme in its noun form has taken on the negative connotations of its verb forms. When someone calls something a scheme, they mean to say it's a devious plot, rather than a plan with defined objectives.

Every time I hear that word I can't help but think something crooked is going on behind the scenes; I can't get my ear to hear it any other way.

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