DISQUS

Jeanne Dininni · 2 years ago

Mark,

As you know, the language is continually evolving, and word meanings, as well as usage, often change considerably over time. Yet this is a natural, organic, and slowly occurring process. It doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't occur at will. There are often many years of tradition, prejudice, and ideological inflexibility to overcome--as would appear to be the case with the word you mention.

This word could gradually move into general use with the newer meaning; but might it not be far more expedient to simply seek another, less controversial word--one with far fewer negative associations/connotations--and be done with it (at least until the next stage in the evolutionary process)?

Then again, your question as to whether or not we do in fact even need a new word at all is definitely worthy of serious consideration.

Jeanne

spaghettipie · 2 years ago

I'm still philosophizing on the significance of labeling the second question "1" . . .

I'm not certain we need a new word.

And I agree that authors who know how to wield the internet (at least to some extent) will prove to be quite powerful.

L.L. Barkat · 2 years ago

Spaghetti, you are so funny.

Just a quick note here to say that regardless of whether we need a new word (which is food for a good debate), I hadn't known that "wog" had any other meanings when I coined it as a cross between "web page" (a medium where content stays pretty much the same) and "blog" (which has the feature of reader interaction). To my knowledge, no other author has a blog like this, so it seemed to be a good idea to set it apart with a new word.

Oh, and as for "wog", apparently, it has also been coined to mean "Not quite a walk, not quite a jog, but a 'wog'".

Other thoughts?

Marcus · 2 years ago

Jeanne, I agree completely that we can't control language change. Just ask the old English teachers who insist on the grammatical correctness of archaic phrases. Also, mass media, TV, movies, etc. have slowed language change considerably.

spaghettipie, oops. Thanks for pointing that out. I changed the "1" to a "2." By the way, if you figure out how to wield the net, let me know, will ya?

L.L., I have two dogs. When I take my fat dog out, the best she can do is woggle. It's not quite a walk. Not quite a jog. And not very graceful at all.

Timothy Fish · 2 years ago

What is a blog? The typical answer is that it is an online journal, but from a technical perspective, it is essentially a user interface (UI) for a website or a portion of a website. I believe there are dangers in trying to stretch the blog technology too far. The blog UI directs people’s attention to the newest information and discourages looking at older information. In addition, the blog UI encourages search engines to give preference to the newer posts. This works well for a journal, but it doesn’t work as well for other things.

Miss A · 2 years ago

Never heard the word 'wog'? Maybe it's used more in Australia because it is used HEAPS here - in both derogatory and in an endearing manner in relation to people like Italians etc. I would say that the word isn't losing it's meaning, but rather it's tone is becoming more favourable and something that 'wogs' are often proud to be known as.

Just thought I'd throw in my two bob worth.

Marcus · 2 years ago

Timothy, thanks for the comment. I think you've set up some really good criteria for considering what blog UI can do best. If new content is stressed on the site and the search engines, what uses go best with that? Hmm...

Miss A., thanks for stopping by! I figured "wogs" were not American standard usage, but I wasn't sure where the word was in use. Just another example of how writing on the world stage is a little bit trickier than writing for the hometown press.