File under I Thought it was obvious

[korith]

It has come to my attention that the much used word 'meme' may indeed already be losing its seminal definition in the minds of LJ readers.

So as a reminder I present The Oxford English Dictionary definition of the word meme (round of applause)

Comments

[maxdemon76]

Welcome to the world of language.

The definition of words change over time depending on the use of those words. The term "begs the question" used to mean something different than "leads to the question", but it's used so much that the new definition is becoming one of the definitions of the phrase.

Anyway, I have this discussion on a weekly basis with several of my friends. The times, they are a changin', and do we want to be the ones who try to keep it the way it was, or embrace the new future and lead people there.

[korith]

I have NO problem with words changing meaning.

But a word that only has existed for 31 years deserves to have the original meaning understood for a bit longer.

It is also being pronounced mimi most likely because we read it a lot but no hear in. Having it sound like gene conveys so much about the word even if it does have new alternatives to its definition.

[flainn]

If we're being pedantic, it's "losing," not loosing.

[korith]

Two points!

[flainn]

What can I redeem them for?

[korith]

Vowels.

[ashti25]

A meta-mutation! How very.... gene-like.

;)

http://educationonline-101.com

[anonymous]

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Kate

http://educationonline-101.com