OT: A Break in the Action. "ANTHIMERIA"

[Kibitzer]

Yes, Anthimeria -- a new word for me and likely most of you. It describes the action when a word that is categorized (by reputable dictionary) as, say, a noun and it is used as a verb. Or an adjective into a noun. And so on.

There are lots of words that have always (well, at least a couple centuries) been legitimately used as, say, noun and verb. You may read a book (n.) or book (v.) a trip. You may read a map (n.) or map (v.) your route. Develop a plan (n.) or plan (v.) ahead.

If you have an old (e.g., 50+ years) dictionary, it may tell you that contact, interface, access, and impact are all nouns. But with the passage of time and the continuing evolution of our English language, all have become widely and correctly used as verbs.

I used to resist this sort of thing, but I realized there are realistic limitations to my stubbornness -- so I access my computer, contact friends, and interface with them.

I still wince occasionally:when I am told that someone "authored" a book; when I read that a player "inked" a new contract; or that the Mets "plated" 3 runs in the 4th inning. And so on.

Got the idea? Here's where you (voluntarily) come in. Here are a few examples of anthimeria in advertising:

(adj. into noun):
"We Put the Good in Morning" - Tropicana
"Give Merry" - CVS
"Founded on Fresh" - Subway
""For Friends Who Reach for Better" - Michelob
(noun into verb):
"How to Television" - Amazon
"How Do You Breakfast?" - Hamilton Beach
(adj. into adv.)
"Live Fearless" - Blue Cross Blue Shield​

Got the idea? OK, Boneyarders, your turn.
I challenge you to add to the above list by spotting any anthimeria in advertising (or any publication) and share them with the rest of us.

GO!

​

 

[UcMiami]

Very interesting - definitely a new word for me. In thinking about it, technologic advances seem to have created innumerable ones simultaneously - and dating back through history - mill - the building and the act performed in the building, photograph, telegraph, radio, phone, scan, videotape, blog, Skype (program and action performed), email, tweet, etc. etc. The more you think about it, the more endless the list becomes, especially for noun/verb combinations. And advertising like poetry has always played fast and loose with grammatically correct usage. The advent of less formal communication methods has probably accelerated it.

 

[Kibitzer]

UcM, these darn arithimeria are everywhere. Let me gve you a couple heh heh more:

"Where more happens" - Staples
"Discover More" - Lufthansa
​

But be careful! Our mods might disapprove of the MTV series, "Pimp My Ride." I am reliably informed that a toilet-paper manufacturer lured potential customers with the um catchy line: "Enjoy the Go"

Well, enjoy. (I guess.)

 

[Zorro]

My wife, the Linguistics Prof, informs me that the currently accepted term for such words is "back-formation". Can't think of any examples right off, as I have been pretty much TV and magazine free lately, but will try to come up with some. (Although Meyers will prolly beat me to all of them!)

 

[j66kicker]

"Google" is the obvious noun-verb that comes to mind. Today my dentist suggested how I might buy something: "Just Amazon it." Hadn't heard that one before.

 

[Kibitzer]

"Google" is the obvious noun-verb that comes to mind. Today my dentist suggested how I might buy something: "Just Amazon it." Hadn't heard that one before.

Another noun-to-verb appears in today's Boston Globe. The account of the Bruins' victory over the Canadiens informed readers that a Montreal player would "captain" a team in the NFL All-Star Game.

 

[Kibitzer]

My wife, the Linguistics Prof, informs me that the currently accepted term for such words is "back-formation". Can't think of any examples right off, as I have been pretty much TV and magazine free lately, but will try to come up with some. (Although Meyers will prolly beat me to all of them!)

I of course defer to Mrs. Zorro's expert testimony. "Anthimeria" is cited online by sources like Wikipedia and Wiktionary but not (yet?) Webster or Oxford. She is correct (n.)

 

[Intpseeker]

I'm going to effort this project later.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I don't see a lot of advertising on TV or in magazines, either. One of my (un)favorite business jargon expressions is to "surface" something, as in "This software will help you surface patterns in your data."

 

[Gus Mahler]

Yes, Anthimeria -- a new word for me and likely most of you. It describes the action when a word that is categorized (by reputable dictionary) as, say, a noun and it is used as a verb. Or an adjective into a noun. And so on.

There are lots of words that have always (well, at least a couple centuries) been legitimately used as, say, noun and verb. You may read a book (n.) or book (v.) a trip. You may read a map (n.) or map (v.) your route. Develop a plan (n.) or plan (v.) ahead.

If you have an old (e.g., 50+ years) dictionary, it may tell you that contact, interface, access, and impact are all nouns. But with the passage of time and the continuing evolution of our English language, all have become widely and correctly used as verbs.

I used to resist this sort of thing, but I realized there are realistic limitations to my stubbornness -- so I access my computer, contact friends, and interface with them.

I still wince occasionally:when I am told that someone "authored" a book; when I read that a player "inked" a new contract; or that the Mets "plated" 3 runs in the 4th inning. And so on.

Got the idea? Here's where you (voluntarily) come in. Here are a few examples of anthimeria in advertising:

(adj. into noun):
"We Put the Good in Morning" - Tropicana
"Give Merry" - CVS
"Founded on Fresh" - Subway
""For Friends Who Reach for Better" - Michelob
(noun into verb):
"How to Television" - Amazon
"How Do You Breakfast?" - Hamilton Beach
(adj. into adv.)
"Live Fearless" - Blue Cross Blue Shield​

Got the idea? OK, Boneyarders, your turn.
I challenge you to add to the above list by spotting any anthimeria in advertising (or any publication) and share them with the rest of us.

GO!

​

What you're talking about here is re-purposing words . . .

 

[Gus Mahler]

To cobble something together from disparate parts (such as a thrown-together report): To Frankenstein a report.

 

[Gus Mahler]

"Suck" as noun:
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=d05f88065024dd1bbfc4fb925f6bc348&oe=573C91BE

 

[Gus Mahler]

Wanted to post one more of my favorites. I was reminded of it while reading headline on Facebook about black holes.

When you are approaching a black hole, it is said you will be "spaghettied," gravity will stretch you increasingly longer and thinner (to your detriment).