Did you know that words are dying? Take "vadiate" in this headline. It means "pledge" but who knew that? There was an article in the newspaper this morning about an initiative called, "Save The Words" sponsored by Oxford University Press, publishers of the Oxford English Dictionary. The press notes that many words in English are disappearing from the language due to misuse. So, in this age of saving things (like polar bears and rainforests and climate, etc.) they, too, have launched an effort to save words by doing your part to reintroduce them to the language. You can sign up online to adopt a word at http://www.savethewords.org/. The website takes a minute to load, and then presents you with a wall of threatened words from which you are supposed to choose one to save by bringing it up in conversation and writing it frequently. It's quite weird, and the word's even talk to you! Try it for yourself. By the way, my personal word is, "pigritude", meaning "laziness". My children will soon master the meaning, I'm sure.
1 comment:
I agree. What is happening to society? We are all melting down into unsophisticated baboons. Conforming to the demands of the dumb we no longer hold our own ideas and beliefs they are constintley being bashed by the internet or television. I think we all need to grab a Websters and shape up!!
Post a Comment