(D)evolution of Words?

LOL! OMG!! I ♥ U!!
You might find such a phrase in a text from one tween to another. As of earlier this month though, you’ll also find these initialisms in the Oxford English Dictionary Online.

In addition to “LOL” (laugh out loud), “OMG” (Oh my God), other initialisms include “IMHO” (in my humble opinion), “TMI” (too much information), and “BFF” (best friend forever).

“♥” also makes an appearance—as a verb, as heart v. As in, I heart drinking chocolate. Or I heart sunny days when I can go on picnics with other people I heart.

While I agree that these “words” have become a large part of modern culture, especially online or through texting, I was somewhat disturbed when I found out about this. I realize, of course that language is ever changing based on time, context, and area, this seemed to me to be moving backwards rather than forwards. These are phrases I used as a middle schooler, when I was lazy and thought that I was cool. I have nothing against the phrases itself, or the people who use them, but to think they they are in the dictionary, that they actually have meaning discomforts me. I think I may just be too much of a traditionalist; after all, if we’re changing our language has to change with us too, right? I guess it’s just that I never really considered them “real words” because I always used them for fun and to joke around.

Either way though, it’s still interesting to see how these initialisms have been modified and have become so popular that they’ve come to be included in the dictionary—sixty years ago, “LOL” meant little old lady! Hopefully kids growing up today will be able to determine the appropriate mediums to use these new words in though—I can only imagine a teacher’s reaction to a book report: “OMG I really liked this book”

Anyway, I gtg—this is definitely going to make Scrabble easier!