24 words that mean totally different things now than they did pre-Internet

Technological change, as we know very well, tends to provoke linguistic and cultural change, too. It’s the reason why, several times a year, dictionaries trumpet the addition of new and typically very trendy words.

But more interesting than the new words, I think, are the old words that have gotten new meanings: words such as “cloud” and “tablet” and “catfish,” with very long pre-Internet histories. The reappropriation is rarely random; in most cases, the original meaning of the word is a metaphor for the new one. Our data is as remote as a cloud, for instance; catfish are just as tricky and unpredictable as an online love interest.

[Is the Internet ruining proper English? lol no]

Anyway, this is all a very long way of saying that Dictionary.com’s 20th birthday is more interesting than most: To mark the occasion, the online dictionary has compiled a list of words whose meanings have changed since it launched two decades ago. To that list, we have added a few tech terms of our own: such as “troll” and “firehose.”

Advertisement

On one hand, the list shows how technology has shaped language over time. But it also shows how language has shaped technology — or, at least, our technological understandings and paradigms. Think about a term such as “cloud”: the fact that we picked that to describe cloud computing says a whole lot about how we viewed that technology when it was brand-new. Don’t even get me started on words such as “sandbox” and “canoe”…

Bump

Then: “to encounter something that is an obstacle or hindrance.” (source)
Now: “to move an online post or thread to the top of the reverse chronological list by adding a new comment or post to the thread.” (source)

Block

Then: “to be placed in front of something, such as a road or path, so that people or things cannot pass through.” (source)
Now: to prevent someone from contacting you on a social network like Twitter, or from viewing your profile. (source)

Canoe

Then: “a long narrow boat that is pointed at both ends and that is moved by a paddle with one blade.” (source)
Now: “a Twitter conversation that has picked up too many usernames for an actual conversation to take place.” (source)

Catfish

Then: “a freshwater or marine fish with whiskerlike barbels around the mouth, typically bottom-dwelling.” (source)
Now: “a person who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.” (source)

Cloud

Then: “a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon.” (source)
Now: “any of several parts of the Internet that allow online processing and storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other resources.” (source)

Firehose

Then: “a large-diameter hose used in extinguishing fires.” (source)
Now: “a very large stream of data.” (source)

Footprint

Then: “a track or mark left by a foot or shoe.” (source)
Now: “a unique set of characteristics, actions, etc., that leave a trace and serve as a means of identification.” (source)

Friend

Then: “one attached to another by affection or esteem.” (source)
Now: “to add a person to one’s list of contacts on a social-networking website.” (source)

Follow

Then: “to go or come after or behind someone or something; to pursue in an effort to overtake.” (source)
Now: to subscribe to someone’s updates on social media.

Handle

Then: “a part of something that is designed to be held by your hand.” (source)
Now: your screen name; the name you go by on the Internet. (source)

Like

Then: “to be suitable or agreeable to.” (source)
Now: “to indicate one’s enjoyment of, agreement with, or interest in website content, especially in social media.” (source)

Meme

Then: “an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture.” (source)
Now: “a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the Internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.” (source)

Ping

Then: “a sharp sound like that of a striking bullet.” (source)
Now: “to make contact with someone by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message.” (source)

Profile

Then: “a representation of something in outline; a concise biographical sketch.” (source)
Now: “the personal details, images, user statistics, social-media timeline, etc., that an individual creates and associates with a username or online account.” (source)

Sandbox

Then: “a low box filled with sand that children can play in.” (source)
Now: “an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from other content in the project.” (source)

Swipe

Then: “a criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group; a swinging movement of a person’s hand, an animal’s paw, etc.” (source)
Now: “to move the fingers across a touchscreen.” (source)

Tablet

Then: “a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that has writing on it.” (source)
Now: “a general-purpose computer contained in a touchscreen panel.” (source)

Tag

Then: “to supply with an identifying marker or price; to attach as an addition.” (source)
Now: to link to someone else’s profile in a social media post, commonly a photo or status update. (source)

Text

Then: “a book or other piece of writing; especially : one that is studied.” (source)
Now: “to send a text message.” (source)

Timeline

Then: “a table listing important events for successive years within a particular historical period.” (source)
Now: “a collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social-media account, in reverse chronological order.” (source)

Troll

Then: “a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills.” (source)
Now: “a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people.” (source)

Tweet

Then: “a chirping note.” (source)
Now: “a very short message posted on the Twitter website.” (source)

Unplug

Then: “to disconnect something, such as a lamp or television from an electrical source or another device by removing its plug.” (source)
Now: “to refrain from using digital or electronic devices for a period of time.” (source)

Viral

Then: “of, relating to, or caused by a virus.” (source)
Now: “becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet.” (source)

Liked that? Try these!

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZLumw9Joq6GdXZ67tbHRrJycrF%2BsvXB%2Bj2psaGlgZH52e5FtZLCnopnAbsDHmqtmpZWWu27Azq2YpaSpYrGqssWeqZ6mpGLBqbXNoKpmpp%2BserW0wKdkraCVrnqltcNmp6udXZ67tbHRp5ytZw%3D%3D