Change, Language Evolution, Acronyms and Abbreviations

I have confessed before that one of my favorite weekend rituals is tuning in to “A Way With Words” on Vermont Public Radio early Saturday mornings. Radio clicked on, water poured and warming for a pot of tea, my ears wake up quickly as I listen to callers ask questions about the history and meaning of language, words and phrases from different cultures and extended families. Change and evolution are consistent themes in the responses of co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett. It’s a message I know I need to hear.

One correct way?

A common theme of callers’ questions centers on what is the “one correct way” to use a particular word or phrase in the English language. The answer is rarely a simple “yes or no.” Often listeners learn that a phrase is common (or used to be) in a particular region or family group, but is evolving into a new standard.

A mother called recently to ask about her teenagers’ use of “conversate,” as in “I’m going to conversate with my friends.” The closest the co-hosts come in answering this type of absolutely “right or wrong” question is to advise that using a particular term outside your immediate circle might lead many people to judge you negatively. (I would have simply answered it was wrong because I had no idea it was a back-formation commonly used in England and increasingly used in certain sub-cultures in the U.S.)

Change, language evolution, acronyms and abbreviations

For those of us who live every day attuned to writing, editing and proofing according to the nuances of various style guides — AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, and the APA Publication Manual are key for our clients — it’s good to be reminded that there are few absolutes and language continues to change and evolve.

Evolving acronyms and abbreviations

In the spirit of evolution and despite my oft-repeated counsel to avoid jargon, it seems fitting to share a list of 40 social media acronyms that by now I think every change marketer needs to know. You can always call “A Way With Words” for help when you hear one of these dropped in casual office conversation…
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