Elara
Level: 100


POSTS: 1702/3253
POST EXP: 268000
LVL EXP: 10311896
CP: 353.3
VIZ: 146760

http://www.oed.com/public/latest/latest-update/

Brief synopsis of above link: They are adding things like "LOL", "Wags", "Dot-bomb" and "<3" to the OED. Do you think that this is a honest portrayal of the evolution of the language, or is allowing such internet terms into the definitive lexicon of the English language only permitting its degradation? I don't think that many of these terms should be allowed legitimacy that the OED gives them... I mean, would you allow such colloquialisms in an essay for an English class?

Now, this is not to say that I disagree with every change they have made that is listed in that link. I think the addition of cultural food names is good, as is the addition of the Aboriginal name for the didgeridoo. Those things make since... things like BFF and fnarr fnarr do not.

Vitreous
Dark Elf Goddess
Penguins Fan
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Elite
Since: 12-08-04
Last Post: 1 day
Last Active: 1 day

warmaker
Level: 52


POSTS: 159/976
POST EXP: 88738
LVL EXP: 1019474
CP: 192.1
VIZ: 80741

Those words are completely acceptable and have such every-day use they require a nod from the dictionary. They're our language and we (not me personally) universally use them. There isn't a right or wrong word to put in the dictionary but if words are vernacular, add them.

When people started referring to motion pictures, films, and 'pictures' with the slang word "movie," art critics, language professionals, and colleges were in an uproar that such terrible vocabulary could be added to the English language. No one thinks a second thought about seeing a movie.

Give it ten years. LOL will be no big deal. We'll be complaining about something else being added. Our words change, evolve, and grow all the time. English is a vibrant and living thing. You can't stop it; you can only recognize its changes.

Add the words.

Cacodemon

Trusted Member
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Trusted
Since: 05-02-10
From: Honolulu, HI
Last Post: 8 days
Last Active: 2 days

Elara
Level: 100


POSTS: 1704/3253
POST EXP: 268000
LVL EXP: 10311896
CP: 353.3
VIZ: 146760

But symbols? What next, the smiley face?

Vitreous
Dark Elf Goddess
Penguins Fan
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Elite
Since: 12-08-04
Last Post: 1 day
Last Active: 1 day

Bobbynibbles
Level: 45


POSTS: 479/706
POST EXP: 33365
LVL EXP: 634235
CP: 0.0
VIZ: 69

Elara : <3 and LOL are not words, they are just internet slang. OED is submitting to the degradation of the English language.

Who are you to wave your finger? So full of it Eye balls deep in muddy waters F**kin' hypocrite
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position:
Since: 04-07-10
From: Florida
Last Post: 663 days
Last Active: 662 days

NotJon
Level: 93


POSTS: 2352/3496
POST EXP: 183935
LVL EXP: 7817802
CP: 54.9
VIZ: 126114

Technically, LOL is an abbreviation. It's commonly used. I don't see why it should not get in. <3 may be pushing it though. I mean, I use it, but idk (laugh out loud).

Sea Snake
More Not than the average Jon
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Elite
Since: 06-24-09
From: Paterson, NJ
Last Post: 140 days
Last Active: 107 days

Sephitard9001
Level: 36


POSTS: 217/466
POST EXP: 28300
LVL EXP: 292447
CP: 76.5
VIZ: 65

Why not, you know what I mean? If people who speak English see these terms posted on the internet, and for some reason look it up in a dictionary instead of google or something, they would be able to discover the meaning. I really don't care WHAT they put in the dictionary, it's not like it changes anything in the long-run anyway. Ancient Egyptians used symbols to communicate, how is <3 any different?

Make love against the evils!
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Trusted
Since: 01-30-11
From: AMERICA
Last Post: 4 days
Last Active: 1 day

Elara
Level: 100


POSTS: 1725/3253
POST EXP: 268000
LVL EXP: 10311896
CP: 353.3
VIZ: 146760

Ancient Egyptians used symbols because hieroglyphs were their language. <3 exists because people are too lazy to write the word love. Would you say it is acceptable to have <3 or LOL in an English paper you write for school? That is why it should not be in a dictionary... online reference is fine, the Oxford English is not.

Vitreous
Dark Elf Goddess
Penguins Fan
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Elite
Since: 12-08-04
Last Post: 1 day
Last Active: 1 day

noelia
Level: 134


POSTS: 5842/8748
POST EXP: 304654
LVL EXP: 27943337
CP: 1924.8
VIZ: 431177

In my mind every language that it's still in use (not ancient-dead ones), are like "alive" things. I mean they grow up and change (in grammar and vocabulary), just like anything that it's alive.

Example- In my language there used to be 2 different versions of the same language, till 1975. On the one side was those who thought that we should keep the "clean" and proper language as the official one (note: nobody was using it in their personal life though), and on the other hand there were people, who believed that both the official language and the speaking one, should be the same. Well, this was a fight for many decades and on 1975, they've decided to use the same version of language for every purpose.

But these "words" (LOL, ZOMG etc) don't belong to "real life", I mean they are more for interent purposes and fun, so maybe they should have thought it twice before they added them.

Generally, I'm in favor of adding new words in languages, but with this issue, I'm a bit cautious.

1st Place in the July 2010 VCS Competition!

Affected by Tomb Raider syndrome
Affected by 'Laziness'

Position: Elite
Since: 03-15-10
From: Croft Manor
Last Post: 466 days
Last Active: 466 days

thenumberone
Level: 102


POSTS: 49/5326
POST EXP: 263169
LVL EXP: 10954845
CP: 2230.7
VIZ: 183620

that is stupid, they arent real words, its fine to use them but thats like me putting a picture of a smiley in and saying it means happy.

in my end is my begining
Affected by 'Carpal Tunnel Syndrome'

Position: Elite
Since: 03-22-11
From:
Last Post: 54 min.
Last Active: 53 min.