Barter vs Haggle

[Whickerman]

Why do people continuously use the word 'Barter' when they mean 'Haggle'?

[dr john]

Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance.
I imagine most of them do it continually rather than continuously though.

[shaneystar2]

I never use common words such as "barter and haggle".
The staff would be mortified ....I prefer to negotiate .

[Quizmonster]

As a matter of interest, both Chambers and Roget's thesaur(i/uses) list the words as synonyms of each other. Maybe that's why?
I do see your point, however, Whickerman.)

[Whickerman]

Thanks quizmonster, wasn't aware of that. Though I still can't bring myself to 'barter' over a price - swap you some chickens for that toaster? - I would happily haggle.

[kev100]

Depends where you come from Whickerman the english language is made up of german, french, gaelic and god only knows how many other languages.

Barter and Haggle mean the same thing

[Whickerman]

When i was in school, to haggle meant to argue over a price until agreed, whereas barter meant to swap goods or services in return for other goods or services.
But I suppose language changes over the years.

[Whickerman]

See here for barter:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/barter

here for haggle:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/haggle

That was my understanding, but i take the point made by quizmonster