|
|
 |
Along Life’s Way
In a Word
By Lois E. Wilson
I have always been intrigued by words and their origin. Many came from
different cultures, some were coined to fit a situation, and some
familiar words were given additional applications. In 2007 I wrote this
verse about the new meanings of words which arose from technology:
At one time a
compact disc
Was just a
powder puff.
A lap top was
created
When sitting on
your duff.
A web site was a
corner
That held a
spider's nest.
Then a mouse was
Mickey
Or worse a
household pest.
When people
spoke of software,
It was a fluffy
robe;
A hard drive was
motoring
Halfway around
the globe.
A chat room was
the parlor—
Blackberries,
fruit for pie.
Windows were for
breezes
Or looking at
the sky.
In those days,
life seemed simpler.
Words had a
common text.
Now we're left
to wonder
How we'll usurp
them next.
More recently, the word “cloud” has been adopted by technology. Some
new words have developed in the social areas of life. A few examples
and their meanings are the following:
*Hangry: bad tempered or angry because of
hunger.
*Snowflakes: those too emotionally vulnerable
to cope with their own challenges.
*Manny: a male nanny.
*Dink: double income, no kids.
*Helicopter parents: those who constantly
hover over their children in all aspects.
*Lawnmower parents: those who keep children
from facing adversity by mowing down obstacles so their kids don’t have
to face them in the first place.
*Theybies: substitution for the word “babies”
and used by parents who wish their children to be gender neutral until
the child is ready to choose a gender. They try to keep the biological
sex of the child secret.
The term “TL;DR” is now listed in some dictionaries. It has two
meanings: “Too lazy; didn’t read” or “Too long; didn’t read.” I hope in
regard to the above article neither applies.
|
|
|
<
|
