Verbing
May 5th 2009, 2:14 am
#1
Lowering the tone
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,351
Verbing
Not sure if this subject has been threaded before.
but...
I was speaking to an otherwise pleasant lady on the telephone today who advised me that I could log on to her company's website and "... transact at my convenience." As in, make the transaction. Ack.
I was also recently speaking to a friend about the hoo-hah over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics where the presenters said things like "so-and-so has just medalled in the swimming", or "Britain is expected to medal at the archery." It's enough to apoplectise a sensitive soul.
At least my computer doesn't like the word "medalled", perhaps ironically suggesting "meddled" instead.
but...I was speaking to an otherwise pleasant lady on the telephone today who advised me that I could log on to her company's website and "... transact at my convenience." As in, make the transaction. Ack.
I was also recently speaking to a friend about the hoo-hah over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics where the presenters said things like "so-and-so has just medalled in the swimming", or "Britain is expected to medal at the archery." It's enough to apoplectise a sensitive soul.
At least my computer doesn't like the word "medalled", perhaps ironically suggesting "meddled" instead.
May 5th 2009, 2:35 am
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,124
Re: Verbing
I deplore what has happened to our language.
For instance in the ING commercial we are told to 'grow your business'. Indeed a business can grow but since when does one grow a business?
Also in North America the words proceed and precede are not interchangeable. How often do I hear the word precede being used incorrectly. At the automated cheque out machine at my local Loblaws a pre-recorded female voice tells us to precede with our order. No one has ever corrected the message and no one seems to care.
Also, everything nowadays seems to be labeled 'an experience'. We are asked how was the movie experience instead of being asked what we thought of the film.
For instance in the ING commercial we are told to 'grow your business'. Indeed a business can grow but since when does one grow a business?
Also in North America the words proceed and precede are not interchangeable. How often do I hear the word precede being used incorrectly. At the automated cheque out machine at my local Loblaws a pre-recorded female voice tells us to precede with our order. No one has ever corrected the message and no one seems to care.
Also, everything nowadays seems to be labeled 'an experience'. We are asked how was the movie experience instead of being asked what we thought of the film.
May 5th 2009, 2:45 am
#3
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
May 5th 2009, 2:59 am
#4
Lowering the tone
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,351
Re: Verbing
Surely you mean...
I deplore what has happened to our language.
For instance in the ING commercial we are told to 'grow your business'. Indeed a business can grow but since when does one grow a business?
As well, in North America the words proceed and precede are not interchangeable. How often do I hear the word precede being used incorrectly. At the automated cheque out machine at my local Loblaws a pre-recorded female voice tells us to precede with our order. No one has ever corrected the message and no one seems to care.
As well, everything nowadays seems to be labeled 'an experience'. We are asked how was the movie experience instead of being asked what we thought of the film.
For instance in the ING commercial we are told to 'grow your business'. Indeed a business can grow but since when does one grow a business?
As well, in North America the words proceed and precede are not interchangeable. How often do I hear the word precede being used incorrectly. At the automated cheque out machine at my local Loblaws a pre-recorded female voice tells us to precede with our order. No one has ever corrected the message and no one seems to care.
As well, everything nowadays seems to be labeled 'an experience'. We are asked how was the movie experience instead of being asked what we thought of the film.
May 5th 2009, 3:17 am
#5
Islander
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto, woo!
Posts: 953
Re: Verbing
Language changes.
Some people are idiots.
'Correct' grammar and spelling are not prerequisites for careers that involve communicating with the public.
Usage has the final say when it comes to what is accepted and what is not (even in France).
Put it all together and the only way things are going to change is when you are King and marketeers, PR clods and Mom and Pop shops run by those who spell clearance 'clearence' are first against the wall.
Some people are idiots.
'Correct' grammar and spelling are not prerequisites for careers that involve communicating with the public.
Usage has the final say when it comes to what is accepted and what is not (even in France).
Put it all together and the only way things are going to change is when you are King and marketeers, PR clods and Mom and Pop shops run by those who spell clearance 'clearence' are first against the wall.
May 5th 2009, 3:31 am
#6
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Verbing
I love the word; 'makeable' as in "this putt is makeable" or "this chic is makeable." 
May 5th 2009, 11:01 am
#7
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,609
Re: Verbing
Not sure if this subject has been threaded before. but...
I was speaking to an otherwise pleasant lady on the telephone today who advised me that I could log on to her company's website and "... transact at my convenience." As in, make the transaction. Ack.
I was also recently speaking to a friend about the hoo-hah over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics where the presenters said things like "so-and-so has just medalled in the swimming", or "Britain is expected to medal at the archery." It's enough to apoplectise a sensitive soul.
At least my computer doesn't like the word "medalled", perhaps ironically suggesting "meddled" instead.
but...I was speaking to an otherwise pleasant lady on the telephone today who advised me that I could log on to her company's website and "... transact at my convenience." As in, make the transaction. Ack.
I was also recently speaking to a friend about the hoo-hah over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics where the presenters said things like "so-and-so has just medalled in the swimming", or "Britain is expected to medal at the archery." It's enough to apoplectise a sensitive soul.
At least my computer doesn't like the word "medalled", perhaps ironically suggesting "meddled" instead.
May 5th 2009, 12:46 pm
#8
RETIRED Realtor
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 2,087
Re: Verbing
......and lets not go to "text speech" moving into common usage.
May 5th 2009, 1:04 pm
#12
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,862
Re: Verbing
txt spk makes sense....for texting messages where display space is at a minimum and speed is important. Neither applies here.
Fortunately, not many use it seriously here.
Fortunately, not many use it seriously here.
May 5th 2009, 3:35 pm
#14
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,891
Re: Verbing
Not sure if this subject has been threaded before. but...
I was speaking to an otherwise pleasant lady on the telephone today who advised me that I could log on to her company's website and "... transact at my convenience." As in, make the transaction. Ack.
I was also recently speaking to a friend about the hoo-hah over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics where the presenters said things like "so-and-so has just medalled in the swimming", or "Britain is expected to medal at the archery." It's enough to apoplectise a sensitive soul.
At least my computer doesn't like the word "medalled", perhaps ironically suggesting "meddled" instead.
but...I was speaking to an otherwise pleasant lady on the telephone today who advised me that I could log on to her company's website and "... transact at my convenience." As in, make the transaction. Ack.
I was also recently speaking to a friend about the hoo-hah over the BBC's coverage of the Olympics where the presenters said things like "so-and-so has just medalled in the swimming", or "Britain is expected to medal at the archery." It's enough to apoplectise a sensitive soul.
At least my computer doesn't like the word "medalled", perhaps ironically suggesting "meddled" instead.
Actually, there's nothing wrong with "transact" as a verb. It has been a verb (transitive, often with "business" as the object) almost as long as transaction has been a noun in common use (15th century). It's derived from the Latin verb transagere - to drive across. It's the intransitive use that's new, and I'd agree that grates a little.
</pedant mode>