Nerds nest
Hundreds of readers have shared their own linguistic creations after reading a recent Magazine feature lamenting the way the popularity of technology is changing the way we speak.
In a backlash against the growing use of alienating jargon, people have been coming up with their own wry interpretations of the all-consuming technological revolution.
Here are 10 of the best.
1. Plugthug: someone who’d kill for access to recharging facilities.
Paul, Chester
2. Game-shame: The feeling of slight embarrassment that occurs when you realise what you thought was about half an hour of game play was actually about five hours, especially when you have inadvertently missed an event to which, under normal circumstances, you would have assigned a higher priority than game play.
Ray D, Turku, Finland
“Nice to have intermet you”
3. Spamnesia: failing to reply to e-mails from friends, because your computer thinks they’re spam.
Rob, Australia
4. Meanderthal: someone who tries to drive or walk while using a mobile phone.
Dave Case, Wokingham
5. Sheeple: people who have to go out and buy the latest gadget (usually one whose name starts with an “i”) just because they believe that everyone else is getting one, and they can’t bear the thought of being left out.
Mike Plunkett, Fleet, Hampshire
6. Memail: e-mail I send to myself to remind me to do things. Everyone else spends all day reading and sending e-mail to each other, I prefer mine to be private.
John Dolan, Cambridge
Kicked off Facebook makes you Faceless 7. Nerds-nest: the tangle of cables behind your TV or desk.
John, Wellington
8. Faceless: what happens when you get either vindictive or drunk and post on Facebook, someone finds it offensive and your account is suspended.
Tim Ellam, Ashburton
9. Dot con: the process of making money from the internet.
Robert, Rochester
…and, to end on a more uplifting note…
10. My word isn’t exactly anti-tech, but it does fill a gap in the language. When I have a friendly conversation by e-mail with a new acquaintance, I finish the e-mail with “nice to have intermet you.” A smiley emoticon is optional. If the Oxford English Dictionary is interested, please give them my number.
Kaylie, Runcorn
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
