Comments on: Our Influence on Language: “Podcast” is now a word http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2005/12/08/our-influence-on-language/ Fri, 18 May 2012 08:04:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Administrator http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2005/12/08/our-influence-on-language/comment-page-1/#comment-193 Administrator Thu, 08 Dec 2005 23:38:03 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2005/12/08/our-influence-on-language/#comment-193 Not the greatest comparison, granted, but still, words that didn't catch on as 'podcast' has. You're right - it is controversial and there's nothing fun about not receiving equal pay for equal work. It hasn't always been a familiar concept and I wished more people would talk about it. I'm so glad you called me on it and we're here doing that. :) 'Ms.' isn't that old either and once again the politics surrounding its use keep it from being used more. Who is it that makes a word popular? I see a connection between who has power (i.e. $$$), and what words are 'successful'. Consider the price of an ipod: is there any elitist component to owning one? I think there's more to it than just describing a new entity. I think we also have to consider where this entity is coming from, who is using it, and who stands to gain from its popularity. Not the greatest comparison, granted, but still, words that didn’t catch on as ‘podcast’ has. You’re right - it is controversial and there’s nothing fun about not receiving equal pay for equal work. It hasn’t always been a familiar concept and I wished more people would talk about it. I’m so glad you called me on it and we’re here doing that. :)

‘Ms.’ isn’t that old either and once again the politics surrounding its use keep it from being used more.

Who is it that makes a word popular? I see a connection between who has power (i.e. $$$), and what words are ’successful’. Consider the price of an ipod: is there any elitist component to owning one? I think there’s more to it than just describing a new entity. I think we also have to consider where this entity is coming from, who is using it, and who stands to gain from its popularity.

]]> By: Sara http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2005/12/08/our-influence-on-language/comment-page-1/#comment-192 Sara Thu, 08 Dec 2005 21:56:51 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2005/12/08/our-influence-on-language/#comment-192 I think you're trying to make a comparison here where it's not valid. "Equal pay" is a word for a concept we're familiar with. Ditto "Ms." They're words that exist and everyone knows, they just might not be interested in using them in conversation for whatever reason (the reasons with regard to these words are usually bad). "Podcast" is a new term people are using because they need a term for what a podcast is. If podcasts were something people were touchy about, you bet people would avoid talking about them and using the term "podcast." If "equal pay" were something more people were concerned about, the term would be used more. If you changed its meaning to something that is not controversial but fun and useful, then it would be used a lot more. I think you’re trying to make a comparison here where it’s not valid. “Equal pay” is a word for a concept we’re familiar with. Ditto “Ms.” They’re words that exist and everyone knows, they just might not be interested in using them in conversation for whatever reason (the reasons with regard to these words are usually bad). “Podcast” is a new term people are using because they need a term for what a podcast is. If podcasts were something people were touchy about, you bet people would avoid talking about them and using the term “podcast.” If “equal pay” were something more people were concerned about, the term would be used more. If you changed its meaning to something that is not controversial but fun and useful, then it would be used a lot more.

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