I briefly mentioned this in a previous post, but I have to be honest that it’s mildly alarming how many queries I receive that misuse the word “blog.” I’ve seen everything from “the webpostings on your Blogsite” to “your blogspot on your website.” People are personalizing, which is great, but… word people should not be misusing words.
Now, before I get accused of sarcasm for writing this post: this is not sarcasm. Some people need this info, and hopefully this will clear things up.
Let’s drill down a bit into the different words and usage. OED, eat your heart out:
The whole shebang: it’s a blog, singular. It’s not blogs or a blogger or a blogsite or a blogpsot. Just: blog. Or, if you want to get fancy, weblog, only no one really says that. Example: “I read your blog.”
An individual entry on the blog: a post. Example: “I loathed your post on rhetorical questions, but I’m submitting to you anyway.” (“Entry” is interchangeable with “post.” Thanks, Scott).
Multiple entries on the blog: posts. Example: “Thank you for your posts on The Hills, which were deeply philosophically illuminating.”
Proper usage of the word “blogs”: Blogs, plural, refers to different blogs at different sites. Example: “I like to procrastinate by reading as many publishing industry blogs as possible.”
Blog as a verb: Blogging as an overall activity is “to blog.” Example: I blog, you blog, we blog, they blog. (thanks to Charlie for suggestion this addition). However, to add something specific to your blog you can either use the past tense of “blog” or “post.” Example: “I posted an entry on blogging” or “I blogged about blogging today.” (thanks to Kate)
A person who blogs: A blogger. Example: “He is a wild and crazy blogger.”
And with that, I’ll conclude this webposting.
Oh! Is a crumpet what we call an English Muffin? Because I love English Muffins! But if that is so, why don't they just call it a crumpet? I guess they feel my wee Canadian intellect is incapable of handling the crumpet concept. But then, well, the term English Muffin is misleading since it in no way resembles a muffin (whatever the nationality).
Very tough, this crumpet conundrum.
Is "Blogolicious" acceptable?
Similar, to the now classic "Bootylicious"
🙂
I just googled "blogolicious" and it's all over the web! Dang, I'm always way behind the latest trends…
Excellent post and terrific commentary!!
For those of you who want further definitions, I just discovered Wordnik, a new kind of definition service (I hesitate to call it a dictionary). Here's their explanation of a blog:
https://www.wordnik.com/words/blog
From Wordnik's 'about' page:
"Our goal is to show you as much information as possible, just as fast as we can find it, for every word in English, and to give you a place where you can make your own opinions about words known."
Ink – Not sure how we got from blogs to breakfast pastry, however – a crumpet is not the same as an English muffin; at best, they're cousins.
A crumpet is thicker, therefore when toasted it's a nice combo of crunchy on top and chewy in the middle. Also, the holes for holding honey/jam are on the top of a crumpet, versus in the centre of an English muffin.
Hungry now…
Now I want an English Muffin. And a crumpet. Yes, I would like to eat an English Muppet. Cruel, but true.
I agree with your definitions. Good job on getting the word out.
"Word people should not be misusing words."
What does it say about me that a statement like this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside?
That's funny. Rum and coke leave me all warm and fuzzy inside.
Mary Jo
Fuzzy-wuzzy was a bear. Fuzzy-wuzzy had no hair. Fuzzy-wuzzy wasn't fuzzy, was he?
Jen P,
I couldn't agree more. I've seen more than one agent confused by the way words are used in different regions. Before we get picky about things like this, maybe we should find out if things are changing, because word people, of all people, need to recognize this is possible, and that it is impossible to know every dialect.
well…the space between typos and misusing words is a mighty abyss to fall into and… all of us hobby writers have been forewarned…
This post made my day!
🙂
~2
Thank you Nathan! I also work in e-commerce (we do blog design for companies as well as build stores) full-time and I hear misuses every day, mainly, people mixing up blog and post. I love when people "get it."
Haven't read all the comments to see if this has been mentioned, but I would make the following suggestion:
Adjective: Today was a rather bloggy day.
–> Today was a good day for blogging, hence, I blogged a lot.
Adverb: Whilst attempting prose, she slid into her former habit of writing bloggily, instead.
–> Her writing reads more like a post than a novel.
That's all. :o)
lysid is correct. Blogger and Blogspot are terms frequently used to differentiate between the various media available for bloggers (livejournal, etc.). So, some of the people submitting personalized queries may not be making the mistake you think they are.
Since I'm just getting started, I'm glad to have this info! Looking forward to reading more of your wisdom.
This is funny. Reminds me of a room full of engineers who can't open a pickle jar. 🙂
Let's rise up and resist using blog as a verb. You write, you write in your blog. Do you journal, do you novel, do you poem? No, you write.
Good points! Oftentimes if bloggers post sporadically, they are definitely less likely to get the dedicated readers they are searching for! Keep blogging.