Where the Dictionary Fails: Popular Web Searches and Terms
How Neologism Affects Web Writing
Language cannot be constrained by rules and regulations and fit into a neat little one-size-fits-all box. Language is a living, breathing entity than a static object. Some believe there is only one "right" way to say things and write things.
Others, including some linguists believe that what is right is determined by how people actually use the language, not how it should be used. When writing for the web, it is sometimes necessary to break the rules and simply, go with the flow.
The Flow of Web Searches
If you want to find success with web writing, there are times that you have to bend the rules, even if it hurts your inner grammarian. You may have learned how to write in English class. You may have learned a different type of writing in journalism classes.
But on the web, the most important people do not care about grammar or about AP Style or Chicago Manual of Style. They are your biggest audience, and they are ones who will be giving you a grade, in the form of consistent page views.
Those people are the millions that are conducting searches online.
Using the Wrong Word With Purpose
There are times that you need to use the wrong word when writing for the web. Yes, it hurts. Yes, it must be done.
The one that currently comes to mind for me is "printables." While I realize that printables is not a noun recognized by my spellcheck, by common dictionaries, or by the online grammar police, it is a popular web search word.
The word describes pages that can be printed. Usually these pages are used in home schooling, or for arts and crafts.
In the correct form, the word printable is a an adjective, not a noun, and certainly not a plural noun.
Strict grammarians would miss out on capturing traffic for printables if they refuse to use the right word. The right word in this case is not in the dictionary as a noun, and certainly not a plural noun, and yet, there it is: printables.
The word printables is highly searchable, highly "incorrect" by grammatical standards. So, are you still trying to get an A in English or are you trying to get pageviews. This is how people are using the word, as a plural noun.
Bookmark, iPod, MySpacing and Verbifying
Another example of a word that is used online but not in its traditional form is the word bookmark. Bookmark is a noun being used a s verb.
I bookmark web pages all the time, do you? Yet, the dictionary says bookmark is a noun. There is no recognition of bookmark as a valid verb in a common dictionary.
iPod - Have you ever tried to write about iPod? Don't try putting it at the beginning of sentence. It won't publish that way. Sorry, but IPod just looks funny.
MySpacing - You may find this in the urban dictionary, but that 's about it. This word complete with a capital letter contained within, is a popular noun turned into a verb. Seeing a trend yet? How many times did our writing teachers and writing books tell us not to verbify nouns or make nouns out of verbs?
Photoshopped is another example of a noun made into a verb.
There is a vast difference between how we are supposed to use language and how we do.
Is it wrong to use the word printables? Not if I am trying to attract page views from those who are seeking printables.
Do you want to please the strict grammarians or do you want your content to be discoverable?
Fourth vs. 4th
The other big example is between the way we write fourth or 4th, in the phrase Fourth of July, or 4th of July.
The Associated Press would tell you to use Fourth of July. According to recent Google Search data, 12,700,000 people searched for "Fourth of July" and 20,000,000 searched for the "4th of July." Knowing that which would you use? (Google Labs Experimental Search)
Resistance is Futile
If you think that using popular terms, incorrect terms, is too much of a compromise, and something you cannot do, you have two choices.
One, avoid writing about topics that would involve a grammatically "compromised" word. The downside to that approach is that sooner or later you will run into a situation where you need to use a less correct or undesirable word.
Or two, short change yourself of thousands of page views because of an unwillingness to go with the flow.
Call it devolution of language, call it grammatically wrong, but you cannot change the way millions of people search for information. You can only change your reaction.
Sources
Google Labs Experimental Search, http://www.google.com/experimental
Yahoo! Web Search, http://www.yahoo.com
Published by Pam Gaulin - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment and Lifestyle
Pam Gaulin is a freelance writer, journalist (B.A., Journalism), new (and next!) media writer and artist. Associated Content named her 2007 Content Producer of the Year. "First for Women" magazine featured... View profile
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28 Comments
Post a CommentLOL...my "inner grammarian" is my college English teacher! A nice, elderly lady who could stop an avalanche in its tracks with a look, she would insist on "possessive before gerund" and other intricacies, and whenever I go against one of the rules, I envision her shaking her head.
A very informative write-up for the web users. Thank you Pam for this valuable thought and your suggestions, Yes, no doubt Neologism Affects Web Writing. Thanks again for the advice. the thoughts on the word 'printable' is very well done, and some of the comments on this word too is very appreciatable. philip
Very informative article!
J.E. - I am talking about actual words, not texting and IM shorthand. That is a whole different topic. Shorthand has its place, and it serves its purpose when used for instant communication.
Subhead should read "How Neologisms Affects Web Writing"
I had to Google "Neologism". The search returned, "All Your Base Are Belong To Us."
Very helpful information! Thanks for an excellent contribution.
*excuse. Sometimes I annoy myself.
I understand how these words that have become part of the internet culture should be used to draw page views, but it still doesn't exucse typing "u" instead of "you" and other such shortcuts. Or confusing "hear" and "here." That stuff really annoys the grammar police.
I also hope people go to the second page and get the vital info there. I liked the summary about how people can change their reactions even if it goes against what "seems" logical. Your example of "Fourth of July" versus 4th of July (which one is used more often)...can't argue with numbers.