As the age of information and communication technology continuously evolve, so does the terms that we are using now. Many technology terms now have become a part of our everyday life. Let us look at those terms.

From software to internet updates and from ordinary phones to the smart ones, there is no doubt that today’s technology is clearly having a profound impact on our everyday life- particularly on our own language. You may consider it phenomenal but there can be no denying that its own ever-transforming nature puts our language in a cycle of word alteration and regeneration. It may change the original meaning written in the dictionary or it may just add flavor to the term.

I have listed here 15 terms extracted from social media and gadget names that can change or add meaning to the original ones. These are very common terms and may sound boring for a millennial to read but hey! This is a refreshment for us to be reminded that long before the existence of fast-paced technology, the beauty of these words were used in some forms of literature. One day, our children will read it and then they will ask us the difference of the same term before and today. Our answer will take heed, to give a great and accurate response.

1.

APPLE AND BLACKBERRY

Sounds easy to define but today, the meaning of these two nouns aren’t common nouns. It can also be in proper noun. So when someone asks you something about Apple or Blackberry, let him/her elaborate if it’s a fruit or a gadget.

2. YAHOO

The dictionary defines it as an expression of great joy or excitement. Verbally, it can only be an exclamation meaning. In written form in the software, it might be an expression or an online platform.

3. EDIT

Do you think the word ‘edit’ only applies to journalists or writers? Not anymore for today. It can also be applied to an ordinary person who is fond of taking pictures with the use of smart phones. Gone are the days when photos are printable through the films of an ordinary camera and thus, cannot be edited. Today, editing of photos is so easy that it can even transform your picture far from the original one.

4. TWEET

Who would even think the sound of a bird should be a term in social media? Hmmm, I just couldn’t imagine if the founder adopted ‘meow’ or ‘moo’ or ‘aw’ sound. Sounds weird right?

5. SPAM

Type this word in Google search engine and the very first links that will appear are pertaining to the brand of canned cooked meat. Ask your grandparents about it and surely, they’ll tell a story of their favorite delicious food. Ask a millennial about it and he/she will tell you of an electronic messaging system of an unsolicited message.

6. I PAD

Remember the elementary years when teachers reminds us of this: “Bring your own pads tomorrow.” It is very clear that the teacher was reminding us not to forget our pad papers. Today, if the teacher says the same thing, no surprise that some will bring their own electronic gadget while others will still bring pad papers. The teacher now needs to be specific.

7. TABLET

Yes you cannot only hear this among healthcare professionals. It may also mean archaeological artifacts or a mini-flat TV (as defined by my grandparents).

8. BLUETOOTH

Maybe you’re wondering why it’s named ‘bluetooth’? How can such a dentist’s term be applied to information and communications technology?
To give you a trivia, Bluetooth traces its name from the history of Harald Gormsson, a Scandinavian king who has a dead tooth that looks blue. Thus, he was given the nickname ‘Bluetooth.’ By then, a radio communication organization named Special Interest Group (SIG) adopted this name because of the king’s successful effort to unite the Scandinavian kingdoms. It’s the same purpose when SIG “intended to unite the PC and cellular industries with a short-range wireless link.”
The word Bluetooth then is not a “just” word taken from dentists or layman’s term. It is really a technical one. However, when a child asks something in this favor, the trivia is the only answer.

9. ACCOUNT

It’s not only pertaining to bank or other financial accounts. This term is more commonly used in social media sites such as your own Face Book or Twitter account.

10. E-MAIL

Writing a friend or relative to another country through traditional means is gradually fading. Snail mail may no longer exist but it’s good to be reminded that the way we write and process our letters today derived from the way we do it before. It was just improved because of the transformation in electronic communication. It’s the reason why it’s termed ‘e-mail.’ Short term for ‘Electronic Mail.’

11. LIKE

“He likes me!” is a statement that may have double meaning. It’s either the guy is really attracted to the girl or maybe he just likes her posts, videos and pictures.

12. FOLLOWERS

You might be asking if they are a group of religious people following the teachings of their spiritual leader. The truth is, maybe just one-fourth of this makes the common definition. To ‘follow’ in social media means to get updated or to have the right to read, view and watch the posts of the person you are following.

13. MESSENGER

There is a difference when you hear, “Send the document to Messenger” and “Send the document to the messenger.” I guess you already have spotted the difference. Which statement is the app? Which one is pertaining to the person?

14. MESSAGE

When I was a kid, “message” became my favorite word upon listening or reading a story because even if the story is fiction, there’s always a message that I could learn from. But now, “message” is not about learning something good from a story or a talk. The definition is transforming that it also becomes a part of the conversation in whatever social media account you are logged in.

15. WALL

No, not only something that is part of your house or a building but it is also a part of your social media account where you can actually see updates of your friends or followers as well as where you can put up your posts, videos and profile.

The Bottomline

There’s nothing wrong when social media or technology will have strong impact on the language we are using but lest this overpower the original terms we commonly use before. I believe this poses a threat in the language of our future children. Let’s not forget not to deviate on the original meaning of the terms we are using now. I fear that one day, our children will be having difficulty in using the term ‘Like’ or ‘follow’ in their sentences.