“There is nothing permanent except change.”

Heraclitus

 

Many English words have been appropriated to mean something completely different online. The pre-Internet meanings are still valid in their original contexts. The technological vocabulary does not replace them, but rather adds another layer of meanings for specific use.  Here are some examples:

Boot

Pre-Internet: a sturdy item of footwear covering the foot, the ankle, and sometimes the lower leg; a hard kick

Online: to start up a computer

 

Bump

Pre-Internet: a light blow or a jolting collision; a protuberance on a level surface

Online: an online slang term for the practice of posting filler comments to move a post to the top of a discussion thread, increasing a message or thread's status and visibility.

 

Block

Pre-Internet: a large solid piece of hard material, especially rock, stone, or wood, typically with flat surfaces on each side; make the movement or flow in (a passage, pipe, road, etc.) difficult or impossible; impress text or a design on (a book cover).

Online: to prevent someone from contacting you on a social network or from viewing your profile.

 

Canoe

Pre-Internet: a long narrow boat that is pointed at both ends and that is moved by a paddle with one blade.
Online: a Twitter conversation with more than three participants

 

Catfish

Pre-Internet: a freshwater or marine fish with whisker-like barbels around the mouth, typically bottom-dwelling.
Online: a person who sets up a false personal profile on a social networking site for fraudulent or deceptive purposes.

 

Cloud

Pre-Internet: a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (such as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet.
Online:  any of several parts of the Internet that allow online processing and storage of documents and data as well as electronic access to software and other resources.

 

Firehose

Pre-Internet: a large-diameter water-filled tube used to extinguish fires.

Online: a very large stream of data.

Footprint

Pre-Internet: a track or mark left by a foot or shoe.
Online: a unique set of characteristics, actions, etc., that leave a trace and serve as a means of identification.

 

Friend

Pre-Internet: one attached to another by affection or esteem.
Online: to add a person to one’s list of contacts on a social networking website.

 

Follow

Pre-Internet: to go or come after or behind someone or something; to pursue in an effort to overtake
Online: to subscribe to someone’s updates on social media

 

Handle

Pre-Internet:  a part of something that is designed to be held by your hand; to manage

Online: your screen name; the name you go by on the Internet.

 

Like

Pre-Internet: similar to
Online: to indicate one’s enjoyment of, agreement with, or interest in website content, especially in social media

 

Meme

Pre-Internet: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture
Online: a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the Internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way

 

Ping

Pre-Internet: a sharp sound like that of a striking bullet
Online: to contact someone by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message

 

Profile

Pre-Internet: a representation of something in outline; a concise biographical sketch
Online: the personal details, images, user statistics, social-media timeline, etc., that an individual creates and associates with a username or online account

 

Sandbox

Pre-Internet: a low box filled with sand that children can play in
Online: an environment in which software developers or editors can create and test new content, separate from other content in the project

 

Swipe

Pre-Internet: a criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group; a swinging movement of a person’s hand, an animal’s paw, etc
Online: to move the fingers across a touchscreen

 

Tablet

Pre-Internet: a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood with writing on it; a pill

Online: a general-purpose computer contained in a touchscreen panel

 

Tag

Pre-Internet: to attach a label to; to add to something, especially as an afterthought
Online: to link to someone else’s profile in a social media post, commonly a photo or status update

 

Text

Pre-Internet: a book or other piece of writing, especially one that is studied

Online: to send an electronic message by mobile phone

 

Timeline

Pre-Internet: a table listing important events for successive years within a particular historical period
Online: a collection of online posts or updates associated with a specific social-media account, in reverse chronological order

 

Troll

Pre-Internet: a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills
Online: a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people

 

Tweet

Pre-Internet: a chirping note

Online: a very short message posted on the Twitter website

 

Unplug

Pre-Internet: to disconnect something, such as a lamp or television from an electrical source or another device
Online: refrain from using digital or electronic devices for a period of time

 

Viral

Pre-Internet: of, relating to, or caused by a virus
Online: becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet