Technological change, as we
know very well, tends to provoke linguistic and cultural change, too. It’s the
reason why, several times a year, dictionaries trumpet the addition of new and
typically very trendy words.
But more interesting than the
new words, I think, are the old words that have got new meanings: words such
as “cloud” and “tablet” and “catfish,” with very long pre-Internet histories.
The reappropriation is rarely random; in most cases, the original meaning of
the word is a metaphor for the new one. Our data is as remote as a cloud, for
instance; catfish are just as tricky and unpredictable as an online love
interest.
Anyway, this is all a very
long way of saying that Dictionary.com’s 20th birthday is more interesting than
most: To mark the occasion, the online dictionary has compiled a list of words
whose meanings have changed since it launched two decades ago. To that list, we
have added a few tech terms of our own: such as “troll” and “firehose.”
On the one hand, the list shows
how technology has shaped language over time. But it also shows how language has
shaped technology — or, at least, our technological understandings and
paradigms. Think about a term such as “cloud”: the fact that we picked that to
describe cloud computing says a whole lot about how we viewed that technology
when it was brand-new. Don’t even get me started on words such as “sandbox” and
“canoe”…
Bump
Then: “to
encounter something that is an obstacle or hindrance.”
Now: “to move an
online post or thread to the top of the reverse chronological list by adding a
new comment or post to the thread.”
Block
Then: “to be
placed in front of something, such as a road or path, so that people or things
cannot pass through.”
Now: to prevent
someone from contacting you on a social network like Twitter, or from viewing
your profile.
Canoe
Then: “a long
narrow boat that is pointed at both ends and that is moved by a paddle with one
blade.”
Now: “a Twitter
conversation that has picked up too many usernames for an actual conversation
to take place.”
Catfish
Then: “a
freshwater or marine fish with whiskerlike barbels around the mouth, typically
bottom-dwelling.”
Now: “a person
who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent
or deceptive purposes.”
Cloud
Then: “a visible
mass of particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended in the
atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon.”
Now: “any of
several parts of the Internet that allow online processing and storage of
documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other
resources.”
Firehose
Then: “a
large-diameter hose used in extinguishing fires.”
Now: “a very
large stream of data.”
Footprint
Then: “a track
or mark left by a foot or shoe.”
Now: “a unique
set of characteristics, actions, etc., that leave a trace and serve as a means
of identification.”
Friend
Then: “one
attached to another by affection or esteem.”
Now: “to add a
person to one’s list of contacts on a social-networking website.”
Follow
Then: “to go or
come after or behind someone or something; to pursue in an effort to overtake.”
Now: to subscribe to someone’s
updates on social media.
Handle
Then: “a part of
something that is designed to be held by your hand.”
Now: your screen
name; the name you go by on the Internet.
Like
Then: “to be
suitable or agreeable to.”
Now: “to
indicate one’s enjoyment of, agreement with, or interest in website content,
especially in social media.”
Meme
Then: “an idea,
behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.”
Now: “a cultural
item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the
Internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.”
Ping
Then: “a sharp
sound like that of a striking bullet.”
Now: “to make
contact with someone by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message.”
Profile
Then: “a
representation of something in outline; a concise biographical sketch.”
Now: “the
personal details, images, user statistics, social-media timeline, etc., that an
individual creates and associates with a username or online account.”
Sandbox
Then: “a low box
filled with sand that children can play in.”
Now: “an
environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new
content, separate from other content in the project.”
Swipe
Then: “a
criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group; a
swinging movement of a person’s hand, an animal’s paw, etc.”
Now: “to move
the fingers across a touchscreen.”
Tablet
Then: “a flat
piece of stone, clay, or wood that has writing on it.”
Now: “a
general-purpose computer contained in a touchscreen panel.”
Tag
Then: “to supply
with an identifying marker or price; to attach as an addition.”
Now: to link to
someone else’s profile in a social media post, commonly a photo or status
update.
Text
Then: “a book or
other piece of writing; especially : one that is studied.”
Now: “to send a
text message.”
Timeline
Then: “a table
listing important events for successive years within a particular historical
period.”
Now: “a
collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social-media
account, in reverse chronological order.”
Troll
Then: “a dwarf
or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills.”
Now: “a person
who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people.”
Tweet
Then: “a
chirping note.”
Now: “a very
short message posted on the Twitter website.”
Unplug
Then: “to
disconnect something, such as a lamp or television from an electrical source or
another device by removing its plug.”
Now: “to refrain
from using digital or electronic devices for a period of time.”
Viral
Then: “of,
relating to, or caused by a virus.”
Now: “becoming very popular by
circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet.”
