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Words and phrases ruined by alt med
I thought this blog post at "skepchick" was interesting and clever and worth posting here. -CM
http://skepchick.org/blog/2009/12/top-10-words-and-phrases-ruined-b...
http://skepchick.org/blog/2009/12/top-10-words-and-phrases-ruined-b...
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christopher A. Moyer on
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I definitely see your point re: organic, Rick. Some might take issue with that specific use of the word, though; the foods grown with the use of fertilizers or insect repellents (or whatever) aren't "inorganic".
From a marketing standpoint, that choice of word was probably a good one, but from a scientific standpoint, it's not at all accurate.
-CM
P.S. Eggs straight from the farm are definitely the way to go if you can get them!
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Right, but before the word was ever applied in a marketing way to refer to methods of production, the same word had a long scientific history of meaning "relating or belonging to the class of chemical compounds having a carbon basis," "being or relating to or derived from or having properties characteristic of living organisms; " or "involving or affecting physiology or bodily organs," among others. All plants, even if raised with manmade chemicals or assistance, would fit these older meanings of the word. (The quoted definitions are from a quick google search.)
At the same time, my example shows that "organic" already meant a bunch of different things before it was ever used in the way we are discussing, so maybe one more shade of meaning for it is not such a big deal. :) Nevertheless, I wish marketers and the gov'ts had settled on a different, more descriptive term.
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Permalink Reply by Marissa on
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CAM- very clever. Thanks for posting. This is something that a lot of people get up in arms about. The media has, as usual, taken this too far. Plus, some things, no matter if they are natural, green, or organic; put together in the same product can be lethal. And dare I say the word?....TOXIC!!!! I have to agree with the local growers aspect. The closer you get to home, the less (here's another one for you) "carbon footprint" involved. Supporting your local community and growers is the way to go for all purchasing!
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Permalink Reply by Vlad on
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A possible situation:
"Are you blue today?"
"No. I'm not cold and my circulation seems OK. Why?"
"I'm actually asking if you're depressed. What about yellow? Are you yellow?"
"I certainly hope not. That would mean I'm jaundiced and I think my liver is working OK. Why?"
"I'm really asking you if you're fearful. Are you green?"
"Oh, I get it. You're really asking me if I'm green with envy. No, I'm not the jeaous type."
"I'm really asking you if you're environmentally friendly. You're a complete idiot, aren't you?"
The blog was funny and it did highlight the misuse of words by marketing guys who I imagine as having goop in their hair, shiny shoes and over-whitened teeth. I think there's something else at play though that goes way beyond homonyms and marketing strategies. The English language changes fast. Hec, even the word "organic" comes into play with search engines. Google searches are pretty organic alright, aren't they (oh, but if you own a wee business they're good for you)?
Remember when spam was just a tinned meat that reminded you of a Python skit?
It even comes into play with words that aren't really "words".
Is U2 a rock band, a type of bomber or something you see in a text to indicated "you also"?
Sometimes I wonder if we're going to be able to communicate at all 50 years from now. U2?
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The U2 was a spy plane, not a bomber.
You're slippin', Vlad.
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Vlad said:Oops....well....they could have chucked something out the window!
Acorns.
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By the way Vlad, did you know that the etymology of the brand name Spam is a contraction of "spiced ham"?
Now you do.
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By the way Vlad, did you know that the etymology of the brand name Spam is a contraction of "spiced ham"?
Now you do.
I learn something new every freakin' day.
Life is good.
Acorns.
If you're talking about acorn risc PC, yep, you could throw it out the window - they're pretty old, but they have a nostalgia to them too. But then again it might be a squirrel reference. It might even be some sort of weird polical reference.
You're right - I am slippin'.
Hey Rick - you should come stateside sometime and see what goes on here - "ise" become "ize" and see the way a "z" is pronounced? Not to mention the word "colour" or "favour". Chips are no longer chips. Men are actually named Randy.
Well, I'm just glad I took up Tullamore Dew Therapy as a hobby.
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Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on
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Meh.
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