There are a couple of well-used blogger phrases which I cannot stand. I don’t know why. I’ve never been fond of “blogosphere”. I cannot explain why. It’s rather like my unexplainable distaste for the words “plether” or “scone”. You will never catch me saying “scone”. EVER. I feel the same way about “Blogosphere”. I cannot STAND “hat tip”. I also have a problem with “money quote”.
I might have used it once or twice, but I sure felt like a big fat phony as I was doing it.
I don’t like “blogosphere” much, either – and have never liked “hat tip” much, either, preferring the simple “Via…”
Money quote, though? I think I actually originated that one (I’ll have to check on that).
Now, “Nubbin?” Ick. And two years of listening to “This American Life” is giving me a real distaste for the word “Object”.
Mitch: Well, as the originator of “money quote” you are forgiven. Originators always are.
I don’t know “nubbin”, but I hate the sound of it.
And I wonder what it is about “Scone”. The word *sounds* dry, with unappetizing bits of matter stuck amid a chewy-yet-flavorless mass.
Ironic, huh?
I’ve abandoned “Blogosphere” for the much jauntier sounding “Bloggeritaville.”
I’m guilty of the “hat tip” (used it today, sad to say), but haven’t come up with a suitable replacement. Since for me the purpose of the hat tip is to acknowledge that another blogger was cooler and/or faster than I am (how else to explain why they got to that particular piece of juicy info first?), whatever I replace it with must project an air of humility and yet still drip with silent envy.
hahahahahahaha
“drip with silent envy”
ha!
I use “via” or “I got this from blahblahblah…”
Wait until you work with people that use “Instantiate” constantly. They believe it is a powerful word that makes them sound important. Apparently their boss used it once and all the lemmings jumped to it and work it into conversations to each other and others about every 5 minutes. I just hope they don’t talk to their kids like that.
I’m not crazy about “blog” or “blogosphere,” either, but they’ve seeped into general usage and pretty much are accurate. I wish that I was clever enough — and influential enough! — to come up with new terms and have them used…but to quote Homer, “…yeah, but what are ya gonna do…?”
Lacking a hat, I never tip one. Since I usually feel like I’m plagiarizing the link, I refer to it as “lifted from” or “stolen from”, sometimes “via”.
I’ve been guilty of using blogosphere, but it’s because I’ve tried and tried and I can’t come up with anything better.
I have given this a bit more thought – and I think my REAL problem with “blogosphere” is that “o” in the middle. If it were “blogsphere”, I might not dislike it. I cannot back up this opinion with anything sane or rational.
The problem with “blogosphere” is that it’s got the word “blog” in it, which is just the ugliest fucking word to come along in my lifetime. But it can’t be helped, it’s there. Still, I try to say “weblog” or “weblogger” which is less annoying.
Other than that, I’m fine with “blogosphere” because I do think it’s poetically descriptive.
Some people do use “blogville” or “blogland” but those just seem so wimpy and lame. “Bloggeritaville” though, that’s got potential. :-)
As much as I would love to take credit for Bloggeritaville, my buddy Laura came up with that one.
Hmmm…perhaps I haven’t mastered the nuances of posting links. The relevant post is here:
http://www.greenballoon.net/2004_06_01_Hot%20Air%20Archive#108656068700812355
Sorry, I like “blogosphere”. Also “Anglosphere”. But I have never used “hat tip” because, well, I never link to anything.
By the way, “scone” is a perfectly wonderful word and I shall never forgive you for sullying its name. You are a cruel, heartless woman. Scones are wonderful! Why would you insult poor innocent scone? I love scones. They’re so full of sconey goodness! Sconey scone scone, there I said it again you can’t stop me!!!!
Okay, I checked the dictionary and the encyclopedia and could find no such word as “plether.” What’s the deal O’Malley?
Can we ban “asshat” next?
I hated “blog”, and “blogosphere” even moreso, but they grew on me. Like a crust onto my face. like breathing out and breathing in… Like the geiger-alien face hugger. No separation now without injury.
“Via” is better than “hat tip” – simpler, cleaner, respectful without a hint of obsequious courtesy.
“hat tip” has its own punishment, though; where folks hand them out, I observe knuckeheads are always writing in the comments or apparently e-mailing “gimmee a hat tip” “what, no hat tip?” “I demand a hat tip for your use of the link I pasted off of instapundit!”
Then the FAQ’a have to get the “rules for hatips” paragraph, or the “hat tip disclaimer notice” to ward of the hat-tip demanders.
Sarah: HAHA So true!! “I demand a hat tip!”
Dean – maybe it’s spelled “Pleather”?? I have no idea. It’s a very 70s thing, a “plether” coat – a mix of plastic and leather.
The very word makes my teeth itch.
And I love scones themselves. Hate the word.
mmm scones. They sound so biscuity.
J at TAotB , I’m with you. Asshat is so “farky”.
For me, “asshat” is SO early 2002.
And I’d like to retire “barking moonbat” too. It was funny for about 2 seconds. Although “barking moonbat” is funnier than “asshat”. In my humble linguistic opinion.
I think “moonbat” is the best addition to the language in years. “Barking moonbat” may be a bit much, but I’ll never give up “moonbat.” Moonbats on the left, wingnuts on the right. I love this usage!
But then I also treasure “asshat” and “fucktard.” Actually, I notice that “fucktard” is making its way into the world at large, I’ve actually heard people use it in conversations.
People in Rhode Island have been calling each other “fucktards” for years. I suppose I’m immune. Actually, add any prefix to “tard” – and I’m sure Rhode Island has already coined the phrase.
I thought “barking moonbat” was hysterical when I first heard it. Now everybody uses it – and they use it as shorthand. Like: people who AREN’T good writers use it and so it just (to me) sounds shrill and uninteresting. It’s over-used.
I think I might have heard it on Rachel Lucas’ site first … can’t remember
Funny Words
Sheila is having an interesting discussion on annoying weblogger terminology, and annoying words in general. For example, she doesn’t like “scone” or “asshat.” Which got me t…
Thanks for the link, Dean. You gonna send over some “asshats” like you did last time?? :)
Well, I’ll give you that it’s overused. I also think the “barking” part is (usually) superfluous.
It puts such a funny picture in my mind, though. Not only is it a moonbat, but it’s BARKING.
Speaking of which – – it’s related:
You might get a kick out of this post
I think I also remember it being pronounced as “scoon.”
Hehe, this talk of “asshat” and “hat tip” made me think of: asshat tip. I’m not sure what it means, but it cracks me up.
Rachel, that is going to be used. I am sure of it.
No money quotes? Well, that’ll put Harvey out of business
Let’s get some perspective, people!
Allahpundit raises an important point: blogger self-importance is in danger of getting out of hand with the whole Kerry-in-meltdown stuff. Let’s not exactly start looking for places on the wall to mount the stuffed head quite yet. Sheila, of course,…