Monday, July 10, 2006
What's in a Neologism?
Well, it's that time again, time for Merriam-Webster to tell us which colloquialisms they're ready to accept as official: yes, folks, it's Brand New Word Time!
Do I sound a little sour? Probably so. But do we really need to add "mouse potato" to our lexicon? Is this a useful expression? Or is it important for those of us who don't have any to be able to officially use the word "bling"? Anyone who watches the Red Sox play knows about that little beard that appears to be a team trademark, but why must we name it? Doesn't "little beard" work better than -- wait for it -- "soul patch"?
I'm sorry: I have nothing against expanding our linguistic horizons, as long as there's a good reason for doing so. I applaud Merriam-Webster for including "biodiesel" in last week's list. And, like it or not (and trademark violation or not), it seems clear that the verb "to google" is here to stay.
But it occurs to me that a lot of the neologisms thus recognized are little more than verbal crutches, aids for the lazy of pen and of voice. And if there's one thing that our consumer-happy, multi-tasking, user-friendly society doesn't need, it's another way to be lazy.
I shouldn't complain. I'm waiting for the day when Merriam-Webster accepts the use of "like" to serve as a placeholder in conversation, thus giving the linguistic stamp of approval on, like, sentences that, like, sound like -- well, like this!
It's all a little beyond me... and beyond the elements of style.
Jeannette Cézanne
www.customline.com
Do I sound a little sour? Probably so. But do we really need to add "mouse potato" to our lexicon? Is this a useful expression? Or is it important for those of us who don't have any to be able to officially use the word "bling"? Anyone who watches the Red Sox play knows about that little beard that appears to be a team trademark, but why must we name it? Doesn't "little beard" work better than -- wait for it -- "soul patch"?
I'm sorry: I have nothing against expanding our linguistic horizons, as long as there's a good reason for doing so. I applaud Merriam-Webster for including "biodiesel" in last week's list. And, like it or not (and trademark violation or not), it seems clear that the verb "to google" is here to stay.
But it occurs to me that a lot of the neologisms thus recognized are little more than verbal crutches, aids for the lazy of pen and of voice. And if there's one thing that our consumer-happy, multi-tasking, user-friendly society doesn't need, it's another way to be lazy.
I shouldn't complain. I'm waiting for the day when Merriam-Webster accepts the use of "like" to serve as a placeholder in conversation, thus giving the linguistic stamp of approval on, like, sentences that, like, sound like -- well, like this!
It's all a little beyond me... and beyond the elements of style.
Jeannette Cézanne
www.customline.com
