"Texted"

Sage · Feb 17, 2007

People text people via cell phone all the time. So how come "texted" looks so wrong? Can I use that in my novel, or should I draw out the description of using the phone's text message function? The scene before mentions a text message the MC has received, so it's not like the reader won't know what it means. It just looks wrong.

(The novel is in past tense, so no suggesting I switch the sentence to present tense so the verb can sound better :tongue

)

blacbird · Feb 17, 2007

Because it's a "verbation" of a noun. It is wrong. But try to stop it.

caw

Carmy · Feb 17, 2007

Fax is also a noun but we accept faxed as a legitimate word.

blacbird · Feb 17, 2007

Carmy said:
Fax is also a noun but we accept faxed as a legitimate word.

Not me. For that matter, I don't even accept "fax" as a legitimate word.

caw

Adagio · Feb 17, 2007

blacbird said:
Not me. For that matter, I don't even accept "fax" as a legitimate word.

caw

Oh, heavens, now what should I do? I used "faxed" in my WIP. What's the alternative? It's a fax machine. Doing what?

BottomlessCup · Feb 17, 2007

Enallage is a legitimate tool of expression and communication.

Language evolves.

That goes double when you're talking about new technologies and ideas, like say, texting.

We need a word for the concept. "Texting" is a good one.

Done.

blacbird · Feb 18, 2007

BottomlessCup said:
We need a word for the concept. "Texting" is a good one.

"Writing" is another one.

caw

Mud Dauber · Feb 18, 2007

I've seen "text messaged" as past tense used in print and that looks fine to me. :Shrug:

BottomlessCup · Feb 18, 2007

blacbird said:
"Writing" is another one.

caw

I disagree.

With that usage, 'writing' would be too imprecise. The word already has multiple meanings and, IMO, sending a brief text message is not one of them.

It's unreasonable to expect a language created hundreds of years ago to satisfy the needs of modern day, without changes and additions. Expecting a 'legitimate word' to describe a concept that's only a few years old is silly.

New thing = new word.

Why is that 'wrong'?

benbradley · Feb 18, 2007

BottomlessCup said:
I disagree.

With that usage, 'writing' would be too imprecise. The word already has multiple meanings and, IMO, sending a brief text message is not one of them.

It's unreasonable to expect a language created hundreds of years ago to satisfy the needs of modern day, without changes and additions. Expecting a 'legitimate word' to describe a concept that's only a few years old is silly.

New thing = new word.

Why is that 'wrong'?

A new word for a new thing (laser was new when I was much younger) is fine, and so is loading an old word with a new meaning (though I admit using "Writing" for sending a text message may not be a good example). Both happen all the time.
Here's an interesting 'usage note' on a historically contentious word:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/finalize
I recall Stunk&White arguing against such "verbalizing" of nouns, perhaps even mentioning the word finalize, and I'll stick to what they wrote generally, but not when the overwhelming tide goes the other direction. As that country song says, time marches on.

Mud Dauber · Feb 18, 2007

benbradley said:
I recall Stunk&White arguing against such "verbalizing" of nouns, perhaps even mentioning the word finalize, and I'll stick to what they wrote generally, but not when the overwhelming tide goes the other direction. As that country song says, time marches on.

Like "Let's go garage-saling"?

Sage · Feb 18, 2007

I'm a big fan of "verbalizing" nouns, even those that aren't used as nouns in common speech (like "text" & "fax" are), in my characters' speech (probably Joss Whedon's fault), and since I've been writing in first person, I've been guilty of it in the narrative too, when my MC would have done so. But since this was a word that people in the real world use as a verb, I just can't understand why it looks so wrong in the past tense, but fine as "text" or even "texting."

"Text messaged" is an interesting suggestion, & looks better to me, though I would not have expected that.

maestrowork · Feb 18, 2007

I'd use "text messaged" or "messaged." But I agree that English evolves. We faxed, and now we text. But please, don't say SMS'ed. SMS is a noun, not a verb.

Sage · Feb 18, 2007

LOL, I don't even know what SMS is.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 18, 2007

BottomlessCup said:
I disagree.

With that usage, 'writing' would be too imprecise. The word already has multiple meanings and, IMO, sending a brief text message is not one of them.

It's unreasonable to expect a language created hundreds of years ago to satisfy the needs of modern day, without changes and additions. Expecting a 'legitimate word' to describe a concept that's only a few years old is silly.

New thing = new word.

Why is that 'wrong'?

I don;t think there's anything wrong with a new word for a new thing, but it is a slippery slope. "Texted" I'd let pass, simply because it is so common that like it or not, it's probably with us to stay, and because realism demands you use the same language the real world uses.

But for the most part, verbalization of nouns is the mark of the semi-literate, and some truly horrible ones have come along over the years. Fortunately, most have vanished as swiftly as they came. It's nearly always bad writing, poor use of language, and does horrible things to the language.

Sometimes, however, you just have to go with what works at the time, what's in common usage at the time. Sadly, "texted" is one of these times.

Chumplet · Feb 18, 2007

Using 'messaged' or 'messaging' would be doing the same thing that was done with 'texted'. Its a verbalized noun. I say, go with the flow. Use it! If the editor doesn't like it, let him or her think of another word. I don't think it's a deal breaker, anyway.

BTW, I'm using 'videographer' in my MS. Not a real word. I think it was invented by a local television station when they made video camera operators double as on-air commentators.

scarletpeaches · Feb 18, 2007

maestrowork said:
I'd use "text messaged" or "messaged." But I agree that English evolves. We faxed, and now we text. But please, don't say SMS'ed. SMS is a noun, not a verb.

Text used to be a noun, too.

maestrowork · Feb 18, 2007

Chumplet said:
Using 'messaged' or 'messaging' would be doing the same thing that was done with 'texted'.

According to the dictionaries, "message" is also a verb.

It seems only The American Heritage dictionary lists "text" as a verb in the explicit context of "sending a text message."

Aeryn · Feb 18, 2007

IMHO, 'texting' is just warming up as a new usage - and will be thoroughly accepted and comfortable to the eye in a few years time. It jars my eye, though I use it myself in conversation, email, and errr...in texts. I think that 'text messaged' is worse, being longer and thuddier.

Vincent · Feb 18, 2007

I don't have a problem with it. A new word for a new medium. It's what I writed heaps of the time.

A.M. Wildman · Feb 18, 2007

Sage said:
LOL, I don't even know what SMS is.

SMS is cell carrier terminology for what you call text messaging.

It stands for Short Message Service.

blacbird · Feb 18, 2007

I like the wedge marks on clay tablets, myself.

caw

scarletpeaches · Feb 18, 2007

I'm such a mobile phone whore.

I have textual intercourse with anyone who contacts me.

Vincent · Feb 18, 2007

Kinky.

Sandi LeFaucheur · Feb 19, 2007

BTW, I'm using 'videographer' in my MS. Not a real word. I think it was invented by a local television station when they made video camera operators double as on-air commentators.

This is the entry from Ask Oxford:

videography: noun the process or art of making video films. — DERIVATIVES videographer noun.

"Texted"

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

blacbird

Carmy

blacbird

Adagio

BottomlessCup

Getting settled

blacbird

Mud Dauber

writing on the wall

BottomlessCup

Getting settled

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

Mud Dauber

writing on the wall

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Sage

Our Lady of Parentheticals

Jamesaritchie

Chumplet

This hat is getting too hot

scarletpeaches

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Aeryn

Vincent

Cheers

A.M. Wildman

Tentenda via est

blacbird

scarletpeaches

Vincent

Cheers

Sandi LeFaucheur