Editing Learning curve (section)

=== "On a steep learning curve" ===
[[Ben Zimmer]] discusses the use of the term "on a steep learning curve" in ''[[Downton Abbey]]'', a television series set in the early 20th century, concentrating mainly on whether use of the term is an [[anachronism]]. "Matthew Crawley, the presumptive heir of Downton Abbey and now the co-owner of the estate, says, 'I've been on a steep learning curve since arriving at Downton.' By this he means that he has had a difficult time learning the ways of Downton, but people did not start talking that way until the 1970s."<ref name="zimmer">Zimmer, Ben (February 8, 2013)  [http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/a-steep-learning-curve-for-downton-abbey/ A "Steep Learning Curve" for "Downton Abbey"]. visualthesaurus.com</ref><ref>Zimmer, Ben (February 13, 2012) [http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3767 "Downton Abbey" anachronisms: beyond nitpickery], upenn.edu, also Comment by J Oliver : Season Three, episode 5</ref>

Zimmer also comments that the popular use of ''steep'' as ''difficult'' is a reversal of the technical meaning. He identifies the first use of ''steep learning curve'' as 1973, and the ''arduous'' interpretation as 1978.