The vocabulary of blogging
I am as precise as I can be in my use of words. I don’t say sky blue if I mean turquoise. I use affect and effect correctly (even if I have to look it up every time). I strive to find the best word to express a specific meaning, but as we know, some terms are ambiguous, which can lead to some confusion.
Take the word BLOG, for instance.
Is BLOG a noun or a verb? Do you blog or do you have a blog? Do you write blogs or write posts that appear on a blog?
I have a blog. You’re reading it.
I also blog. I’m doing it now.
But, I do not write blogs. To me, that seems redundant like sit down or stand up or shrug your shoulders (what else one can shrug I’ve yet to determine).
I write posts.
I contribute to many blogs by writing different posts. I publish those posts on blogs. (Don’t get me started on the ambiguity of publishing!)
I am a blogger.
I am a blogger who needs more coffee.
Great one. I also struggle with the term BLOG. I also like to say I’m writing a “post” (for a blog).
You are a funny blogger, for sure,
Hah, Amy! It’s true, though. I was reading somewhere that to call a “post” or “article” a “blog” makes you look like you don’t know what you’re talking about.
But sheesh. I call my posts blogs all the time.
I think you’ve cleared it up marvelously.
*pushes cup of coffee down table toward Amy*
We are also blogging while we are reading and commenting on other blogs! I’m blogging now.
Effect and affect gets me too – glad to hear I’m not alone.
I’m blogging (verb) now too! But I “post” to my blog (noun), and post comments to other people’s blogs. I’ve heard people say “I’ll blog you.” That kind of gives me a little twitch. I want to say, “What does that mean? What are you gonna do to me?”
I’ll probably blog when I get home. But for now, I am posting a comment on your blog. Thanks for the proper slang use lesson! = )
Amy, I’m the same way about doing my best to make sure I use my words precisely. (and wouldn’t you know that sentence took twenty tries to write, lol) I say I have a blog, I updated my blog, and occasionally “I blogged.”
I agree with you – I often catch myself saying I write a blog – but I think that I write a post, not a blog.
Atlas shrugged, or so I hear.
I use the word blog, but I hate the sound of the word. Blog is one absent L away from bog which where I come from is the toilet. It sounds juvenile so I post rather than blog. ‘Post’ sounds so efficient and leaves such a feeling of purpose when said or written. LOL Seriously, I run my yap. I don’t blog I TALK and I do it all day long and continue when I’m asleep, apparently. You made me giggle with this post/blog/piece/written output/expression of an intangible/freedom of expression in action, Amy. I love coming here because you never know what you will find. :0
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention, I’ve got a publisher.
Just yesterday, I had to stop myself from correcting someone at work that I probably shouldn’t be correcting when they referred to a post as a blog.
They weren’t to know, I told myself. Calm down, Broome. Leave it. It’s not worth it.
I wish I’d corrected them.