Come on Webster

[scotpens]

“acronym”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English (1991), Oxford University Press. p. 12: “a word, usu[ally] pronounced as such, formed from the initial letters of other words (e.g. Ernie, laser, Nato)”.

“Ernie” is an acronym? For what?

Would you call JPEG an initialism or an acromyn (seeing it has features of both definitions)?

Scholars cannot yet agree on a term. However, if it were up to me, I would call it a

quasiacronym.
​

How about “acronism”? Or is an “Akron-ism” a word used only by residents of Akron, Ohio?

. . . I've also noticed I use what is now antiquated netspeak at times. For instance I often use iirc and people ask me what it is.. it seems to have fallen out of common usage.

Really? I use “IIRC” frequently and nobody asks me what it means or berates me for being “so Nineties!”

. . . I also must admit my own tendency to get a bit touchy on this subject, the reason being that usually when people gripe about the devolution of the English language it is a symptom of complete ignorance about what language actually is, or a symptom of either a deeply rooted racism or classism — “I don't mind black people, but that street language they speak...”

I have no patience for that.

It’s all a matter of appropriateness. In personal and informal situations, people may speak and write however they want. But standard English is a necessity if you want to do more with your life than flip burgers. Or sell flowers on the street.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCrn4tRQCcc&feature=fvst[/yt]

 

[thestrangequark]

^Which is what I've been saying all along.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

“acronym”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English (1991), Oxford University Press. p. 12: “a word, usu[ally] pronounced as such, formed from the initial letters of other words (e.g. Ernie, laser, Nato)”.

“Ernie” is an acronym? For what?

No clue until I looked it up. Being the foremost example in a British dictionary, it's British, wouldn't you know.

ERNIE stands for Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment and is described here.

 

[Mr Awe]

I know but theres a difference between won't and OMG. Which just comes from people being to lazy to type the full thing. I think we would be better off as a race, to just forget about these words.

The real trick is for students to learn the proper context for the proper words. Trying to banish OMG and the like is doomed to failure. Teach the kids that it's fine to use those while texting but for a formal paper they'll be marked down. Context is everything.

Times change and so do words. It's best to keep up. Old curmudgeons always lose out. So, it's best not to be one!

Mr Awe

 

[Leviathan]

Tough problem to resolve really...

All in all this has been an interesting debate to read over about old -vs- new. good points, pretty clear.

That said, I still fail to see how Emmanuel Lewis will be of any help at all...

 

[B.J.]

^ That took 5 pages. I'm disappointed.

 

[sojourner]

^Whatchoo talkin' bout Willis?

 

[Owain Taggart]

^ That took 5 pages. I'm disappointed.

Must have missed the post I made earlier in the thread

 

[B.J.]

^ That took 5 pages. I'm disappointed.

Must have missed the post I made earlier in the thread

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I can feel your inside jokes whisking just above what's left of my hair.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I know but theres a difference between won't and OMG. Which just comes from people being to lazy to type the full thing. I think we would be better off as a race, to just forget about these words.

Lets forget all the way back to Chaucer.

 

[KJbushway]

English will eventually become like Latin, a dead language only a handful care to learn. Our main language in the U.S isn't really english. I think its bad when I have to read through three different languages when reading instruction on the simpliest of things.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

English will eventually become like Latin, a dead language only a handful care to learn. Our main language in the U.S isn't really english. I think its bad when I have to read through three different languages when reading instruction on the simpliest of things.

Indeed, you might break something looking for the english instructions on your pocket pizza packet.

 

[KJbushway]

Not a pizza pocket. Can't stand them. But programming a remote, building a bicycle for the first time. I am not as lazy or dumb as I appear. Though that above it a joke, if so, nice one.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

So are you actually saying you object to instructions in other languages than english when trying to program a remote etc..?

 

[KJbushway]

No, but reading three other languages first, when English is supposed to be our main language is a bit much.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

No, but reading three other languages first, when English is supposed to be our main language is a bit much.

You do realize that items like remotes are shipped all over the world? Or do you want them to make sure that english comes first for those that can't scan past cantonese?

 

[Mr Awe]

English will eventually become like Latin, a dead language only a handful care to learn. Our main language in the U.S isn't really english. I think its bad when I have to read through three different languages when reading instruction on the simpliest of things.

Wow, man, you really have a lot to complain about!

Mr Awe

 

[thestrangequark]

English will eventually become like Latin, a dead language only a handful care to learn. Our main language in the U.S isn't really english. I think its bad when I have to read through three different languages when reading instruction on the simpliest of things.

As is the fate of all languages. So what?

Instead of saying the same thing over again, why don't you read and address some of the arguments counter to yours? I, along with several other posters, have pointed out flaws in your argument, but you have either not taken the time to read them, or are interested only in complaining when you could be using this as an opportunity for learning.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

^
^
Carrot for truth (too lazy to quote for truth).