This week in yearbook we discovered two extra pages available in the back of the yearbook. After spending diligent time looking through previous yearbooks we found an idea for the page, a list of commonly used words of our generation. The yearbook staff began brainstorming words which we casually throw around. Right away we thought of some regular abbreviations “typ,” “glam,” “totes,” “awk,” “bro” and “nbd.” We also thought of frequently used words like “perch,” “strut,” “browse” and “sick.” Then our grades favorites “chi11,” the "11" naturally for our graduation year, and “for days,” which we attempted to explain to Ms. Serensky first semester and she seemed to look down upon. The editor-and-chief, Kelly O’Connor, and I continued onto commons to discuss this fascinating topic with our lunch table. We easily came up with numerous other words which we use. As I reflect on these words I realize how much language changes. Even looking through yearbooks from a couple of years ago, the slang and words they use seem so different and absurd. In general words continue to get more abbreviated and informal. What would Shakespeare and older poets think of us today? It makes me wonder how much more language will change in years to come and how the typical abbreviations will eventually seem ridiculous. But for now it is nbd, so just keep it chi11.
I think this clearly seems to enforce the fact that although the English language deals easily with change, very few of these words have stuck as a solid choice for everyday use. However, I will attest to the fact that I often use many of these words, except for "for days," that never stuck well with me. Fascinating post Kathryn, this will probably prove as an interesting page in the yearbook.
ReplyDelete