I got the phrase "language is a virus" from Laurie Anderson. I use it when I notice others "abuse" English in ways I find amusing. For example, ain't wasn't a word when I was a child. Many teachers made a point to tell me that. Today ain't is in the dictionary. Long time comin'. Now tho I wuote Laurie Anderson when I say it, she got it from William S Burroughs, who probably got the words from someone else. and now you have them. Share and enjoy.
@ZachsMind Funny thing about "words" they aren't 'a priori' meaning lexicographers go out into the world and study how words are used by the masses, record usage, and we find said usage in lexicons (dictionaries et al). When a teacher or professor questioned my use of a word I always told them I was creating the future use of said word! By the way, I'm a big fan of Burroughs...nice jam too!
@capnhollis i enjoyed reading about Burrough's Cut-Up Method, but admittedly the process was more interesting than the results. I've tried to explore the use of words in absurd ways removing their meaning and using their sounds for poetic purposes but the results were even more disappointing. Still, it's fun to learn about where words come from and where they're going. Thanks for sharing. =)
3 Comments (since 15 Nov 2014)
ZachsMind
I got the phrase "language is a virus" from Laurie Anderson. I use it when I notice others "abuse" English in ways I find amusing. For example, ain't wasn't a word when I was a child. Many teachers made a point to tell me that. Today ain't is in the dictionary. Long time comin'. Now tho I wuote Laurie Anderson when I say it, she got it from William S Burroughs, who probably got the words from someone else. and now you have them. Share and enjoy.
capnhollis
@ZachsMind Funny thing about "words" they aren't 'a priori' meaning lexicographers go out into the world and study how words are used by the masses, record usage, and we find said usage in lexicons (dictionaries et al). When a teacher or professor questioned my use of a word I always told them I was creating the future use of said word! By the way, I'm a big fan of Burroughs...nice jam too!
ZachsMind
@capnhollis i enjoyed reading about Burrough's Cut-Up Method, but admittedly the process was more interesting than the results. I've tried to explore the use of words in absurd ways removing their meaning and using their sounds for poetic purposes but the results were even more disappointing. Still, it's fun to learn about where words come from and where they're going. Thanks for sharing. =)