Worst Neologisms

[sonofsanta]

I was casually reading an article on how the PM has made himself look a bit of a tit today (there's usually one daily) when I came across the following abuse of the mother tongue:

Asked whether Mr Cameron writes his own tweets, the spokesman said: "I'm not going to get in the process-ology of it but the prime minister's tweets are entirely his views."

 

Process-ology?! Are you mad?! Back in my day we just called that "the process", ffs!

 

So, my fellow 'geekers: what's the most offensive and egregious neologism you've come across?

[laserblazer]

egregious neologism

[pcstru]

"homophobe" (and related homophobic etc) - sadly it seems to almost be an accepted part of the language. I describe it as a 'made up hate word'. I abhor it.

 

"methodology" on the other hand is a real word but just misused. People talk about the project methodology. Methodology is a study of methods. It is not a method used.

[unixman_again]

The word has been used for 30 years "In 1982, homophobia was used for the first time in The New York Times to report that the General Synod of the Church of England voted to refuse to condemn homosexuality." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia

[pcstru]

The word has been used for 30 years "In 1982, homophobia was used for the first time in The New York Times to report that the General Synod of the Church of England voted to refuse to condemn homosexuality." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia

 

I've been abhorring it for at least 20 years.

[Greenbeast]

surely that's like hating the word rascist?

[sonofsanta]

surely that's like hating the word rascist?

 

Unintentional hilarity?

[pcstru]

surely that's like hating the word rascist?

 

Is racist a made up hate word?

 

Homophobia by entomology should mean an "irrational fear" of "the same". In the context of phobia's, an irrational fear is something a persona can do very little about. An arachnophobe sees a spider and their reaction is instinctive and without any thought. In the original article the COE were not succumbing to some instinctive reaction - it was thoughtful, calculated bigotry based on theological doctrine. And that's my problem with the word - it excuses what is actually a choice to be a small minded bigot, as something that a person has no control over and that they cannot help. So the effect is "Oh, you're homophobic - well never mind, you can't help that can you" and society through the culture of language is led toward tolerance of the intolerant.

 

 

In the article referenced the homophobes were the COE, objecting on the grounds of religious doctrine.

[CAM]

But homophobia isn't tolerated anymore, it causes massive political s***storms!

[pcstru]

But homophobia isn't tolerated anymore, it causes massive political s***storms!

 

If only. Bigotry is very much alive and well and living in religious and other establishments near you.

[CAM]

If only. Bigotry is very much alive and well and living in religious and other establishments near you.

 

We don't tolerate spying either but the NSA are still at it.

 

It may not be tolerated, but it isn't eradicated! That said, I do work in a catholic school and homophobia is still closely monitored and cracked down on heavily. Even in faith schools such things aren't allowed.

[Greenbeast]

Is racist a made up hate word?

 

Homophobia by entomology should mean an "irrational fear" of "the same". In the context of phobia's, an irrational fear is something a persona can do very little about. An arachnophobe sees a spider and their reaction is instinctive and without any thought. In the original article the COE were not succumbing to some instinctive reaction - it was thoughtful, calculated bigotry based on theological doctrine. And that's my problem with the word - it excuses what is actually a choice to be a small minded bigot, as something that a person has no control over and that they cannot help. So the effect is "Oh, you're homophobic - well never mind, you can't help that can you" and society through the culture of language is led toward tolerance of the intolerant.

 

 

In the article referenced the homophobes were the COE, objecting on the grounds of religious doctrine.

 

fair point

[Ketlane]

The OED has the earliest reference to homophobia in this context from 1969.

 

The OED also has a different meaning, with references from 1920 and 1960, marked as rare, "Fear of men, or aversion towards the male sex; also, fear of mankind, anthropophobia."

[Bompalompalomp]

Sure other terms that can mean to both fear and hate, like xenophobia and the like, must be equally as bad then?

[pcstru]

Zenophobia - fear of Buddhists.

[jinnantonnixx]

I'm a workaholic. I just can't get enough of that workahol.

[unixman_again]

xenaphobia - fear of Warrior Princesses - I think if I met a Warrior Princess with a big sword I'd be very afraid!

 

Parthenophobia is fear of virgins so says "Mrs Byrne's Dictionary Of Unusual, Obscure and Preposterous Words".

[pcstru]

Talking of obscure words, one of my favourites : Anatidaephobia - The Fear That You are Being Watched by a Duck.

[CESIL]

Surely all words word had to be "made up" at some time?

[pcstru]

Surely all words word had to be "made up" at some time?

 

I'd hoped my elaboration would have made it clear that my objection to homophobe (and related words) is not that the word is made up.

[sonofsanta]

Likewise, I don't mind neologisms themselves, but not all words are created equal. For every "omnishambles" there's a "process-ology"!

 

(Not that "omnishambles" is a particularly elegant example, but it does encapsulate government perfectly)

[CESIL]

Homophobia by entomology should mean an "irrational fear" of "the same". In the context of phobia's, an irrational fear is something a persona can do very little about.

 

It seems to be a perfect definition of an irrational fear...

 

In my opinion most "hate" is generated initially by fear of something... i.e. racism can be stoked up by generating a fear in weak minded individuals that their own race is under threat from another...

[pcstru]

It seems to be a perfect definition of an irrational fear...

Bigotry is not fear. You don't see people recoil or gasp when the learn someone's sexuality, you see them sneer and narrow their eyes. What you see is hate and intolerance.

In my opinion most "hate" is generated initially by fear of something... i.e. racism can be stoked up by generating a fear in weak minded individuals that their own race is under threat from another...

 

Phobia is defined as an irrational fear. I think both words are needed to get the intended meaning of a fear that is essentially an autonomous reaction - irrational is used in the sense that there is no thinking involved. Feeling you are under threat is a rational response in that you have to think about it. So your racism stoked by people thinking they are under threat is not irrational in the sense of no thought - it is the conclusions that you say are irrational.

[CESIL]

OK I surrender...I am too hot to discuss this any further and my brain is starting to hurt...

[pcstru]

OK I surrender...I am too hot to discuss this any further and my brain is starting to hurt...

 

Heh! It easily gets weird when the discussion is essentially about the meaning of words and all you have to describe the meaning of a word, is more words, many of which have several meanings.