3 minute read
Then and Now by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
Then and Now
by rivki D. rosenwald esq., LMFt, cLc, SDS
New ideas and technologies don’t use new terms; they reuse old ones. Words and terms get recycled. Not a problem if you’re moving with the times. But, can you imagine what it feels like for someone who isn’t? They hear a phrase and can’t follow what you’re saying.
Twitter: used to be what a happy word would do
TikTok: was the sound a grandfather clock made
Instagram, Instastory, Instacart: all that “Insta” would be referring to a type of coffee you didn’t have to brew
Facebook: would probably refer to the identifying pages of a criminal album
LinkedIn: would be what you’d be checking if someone else closed your necklace for you. “Are you sure it’s LinkedIn?” YouTube: would probably be some kind of a put down. You brute, you creep, you tube Podcast: likely some kind of technique for casting your fishing rod Zoom: how fast a race car goes
Can you imagine talking to someone unfamiliar with the new uses of these terms? Here’s how a conversation could go:
-“Met him on a Zoom.” -“What, really? You’re lucky if you can see the car going by. How’d you see him at all?” -“I noticed his great qualities with LinkedIn.” -“How can you tell that much about a person from the way he closes a clasp?” -“Do you want to try Instagram?”
-“Nah, I’ll stick with Nescafé.” -“What’s that sound?” -“Oh, it’s a TikTok.” -“Really it sounded like a whole performance.” -“No, it’s just a TikTok.” -“I friended him.” -“Really? You never left the house. How’d you become friends?” -“Through Facebook.” -“Why would you want to be friends with a criminal?” -“Huh?!” -“Huh?!” Is there a shortage of words? After all, why are they using old words? Can’t they come up with something new and original to describe the things that are new and original? But, then again, maybe they are get-
ting more bang for the buck? I mean, let’s take the word “google.” How often was it being used? Maybe once in a while when people talked about a baby. “Oh, look how cute he is. He’s googling already.” “When do babies start to google?” “Is your baby googling yet?” After all, there wasn’t much more you could do with that word.
But today, people are using “google” almost every second. The word use is exploding. Who doesn’t use Google?!
That’s pragmatic word use!
If a word exists, why let it be so limited in use?!
Computers and social media have created many opportunities. And one of them is not letting old words go to waste.
So let’s be a little less critical of the double usage. Let’s be more understanding and appreciative of those who saw an opportunity to give words a second chance, more exposure, and a way to really keep showing up in our vernacular.
And let’s be tolerant of those who are not up on the new use of these words. Because they are holding down the fort for the old usages.
Together, they are maximizing the opportunities for these words.
And let’s applaud those who came up with this great idea. They should have their own podcast!
Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples
and individuals and is a certified relation-
ship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and
creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be
