Real Words #2

What makes a word real? What are some of the “qualifications” for a word to be considered “real”? Well, there are not qualifications for a word to be real as explain by Anne Cruzan in her TED Talk “What makes a word “real”? 

I believe any word can be a real word. If people are using the word and there is a meaning or certain way of using the word. To me, in my book, it’s considered a real word.

In 2015-2016 there have been some new words that have popped up, including hashtag, selfie, and bae. Personally, I don’t really use any of these words. However, I do know what they mean, how to use them, and when to use them. It’s a real word.

 Anne mentions towards the end of the video that we are the people who make new words in our languages. Just because a word is not in the dictionary, don’t make it a any less real.  

In my personal experience, between my mother an I, we have the word “coco”. Coco is an actual word, and refers to a coconut. However, between us, the meaning is different. In our case, “coco” means the same things as “xoxo”. Another personal account I’ve run into is the word “bae”.  Originally meaning Before Anyone Else, bae has taken on the form of a term of endearment for a significant other. 

Overall, who is to say what a "real" word is. If the word is in use and many people use this word. It should be considered a real word. The people are who determine where exactly the English language goes and what words will be used in this language.