OMG That Was Like Totes Atrosh
Language develops, it is not a stagnant thing. It changes over time and becomes unrecognisable to what it once was, each new generation putting its stamp on the language with new words being added to the dictionary every year.
That is how it should be, a constant evolution of the spoken and written word.
This change and evolution has probably never been as obvious or happened as fast as in the last 10 years where language has developed at the same rate as technology with DVDs, Blue Ray and Wii. Ipods and Ipads. Solar panels and touch screens.
Each new step forward bringing us another word or phrase that quickly becomes as familiar to us as bread and butter.
And of course there’s the internet language, or lit speak, that has found it’s way into most peoples vocabulary, LOL’s and OMG’s. WTF’s and IYKWIM’s. Even if you don’t actively use it yourself, you probably read and understand them, are aware of the sentiment being put forth.
I’m happy to LOL, WTF and ROFL with the best of them on Twitter. I’m not that comfortable with PMSL but only because it smacks more of incontinence than anything, and I don’t feel I need to announce my inability to hold on to the contents of my bladder when struck by mirth, to the entire universe.
And yet there are times, times when I read sentences like ‘OMG! That was like totes atrosh!’ when I want to gouge my eyes out with a sharpened stick, roll back the clocks to Shakespearean times and see if we can’t start over, make a better job of it this time.
Totes atrosh?
I am assuming, given the context in which I read this, that it means ‘totaly atrocious’.
Totes atrosh?
Sigh.
so wer dus languige go frm hr? Is hte deth of inglish ni? R we, in 30 yrs time, going 2 b ritin lik this?
Or will language survive the ‘atrotes’ being inflicted upon it and come away relatively unscathed? And if so, which parts of Lit speak will remain, immortalised in a dictionary, to become passé words for an even younger generation to giggle at as their parents try to sound hip?
And incidentally, do people actually speak like this, yet? Because it can only be a matter of time, surely. Do some kids say LOL instead of laughing? Or LMAO and ROFL?
And how on earth are they pronounced?
Christ I feel old.
I'm Heather, an ex expat, now back in blighty and living in Lancashire. Which is just like Lapland only less snowy...and stuff.
Language is always fluid and open to tweaking. Most words though – new ones that is; the fashion ones – have a very short shelf life. Most don't make it beyond the generation that invented them hitting adulthood!
I have a very funny email relating to 'changes' in language which I am somehow going to dig out and send you…
Personally I abhor bad grammar and poor spelling, not to mention idiotic abbreviations which – in my very humble opinion – just denigrate the standards of the composer.
Never mind. Back to work now, like, sumfink aw-rite? Laters.
LCM x
shall look forward to it!
Like, it just totally is, in-it?
sigh.
What I find quite amazing is that my brother who is by no means fluent in English understands LOL, ROFL, etc… In France, we are very protective of our language and every single English word that is used commonly has its french translation to be used in the media etc. I have to admit though I was and still am quite surprised at the lack of knowledge of spelling over here in Ireland. I often spot spelling mistakes on the news or written press, and I get asked to spell some words by people I know. They are not illetterate (probably just spelt that wrong LOL). I am not a native speaker! I shouldn't know how to write your language better than you do! Maybe that can explain how the language is allowed to deteriorate this (or is it that) badly this / that fast? Not enough emphasis on spelling in school? Maybe the fact that French is such a hard language spelling-wise, I find English a lot easier? Emm that gave me enough to think about for the rest of the week I think! Great post.
I like all the play on our language – my boss is a blackman, full of 'init' and no wot i mean man, he lapses into this for fun … language/accents can get strange reactions, we lived in East London for several years but were not welcomed in the pub as a 'local' as we were 'the South Londoners' (due to our accent). I can't get to grips with LOL and ROFL stuff – my kids have to educate me with updates but I think anything and all is clever, fun and doesn't detract from good old fashioned well written/spoken English, there's room for all.
I throw a sarcastic LOL around every now and then, mostly cos it annoys Boyfriend, but sometimes it just comes out. I would never say it without actually LOLing though, totes atrosh! (LOL is pronounced as in LOLly)
I think in terms of will language survive? Yes, it will. It has so far, and I'm sure this generation wasn't the first to take it and personalise it but the base structure seems relatively intact as far as I'm aware… but then again I'm no literary expert!
I don't mind the LOL, OMG etc and use it myself but I really hate text speak like that 'totes atrosh', it really irritates me. WYSIWYG with me
I think I am hipper than my kids.
Totes Atrosh?! Seriously? I used to be old-school very much prim and proper when it came to spelling and grammar, even being over-pedantic with my text messages (easier these days now most phones have a full keyboard not to have to resort to silly text speak). I do confess, however, that my increased use of Twitter with it's dictator-style need for brevity is slowly wearing me down and I have started throwing in silly acronyms I would previously never have countenanced.
Maybe we should start up Old Grammar Pedants Anonymous? Of course, we would need a decent acronym…
Totes Atroshe? What is the world coming to?
I am informed by my 16 year old, that ROFL is pronnounced Rolf as in Harris, she then shook her head and walked away, so that's all I have, sorry.
I have to say I don't even know what most of them mean! Until recently I even thought LOL was short for 'lots of love'!! except that it didn't seem to make sense in the context very often. They say that you can tell someone's age by how careful their spelling is in texts and emails etc. I'm always very proper. I even dislike seeing a lower case 'i' used for 'I'. So I suppose that means I'm old then.
I love our language and all its richness, and I'm intrigued by its evolution. We are already being usurped by a generation with its own language – it defines them – we had our own slang back in the day, and now they have theirs and it's unique and clever in equal measure. It's easy to write it off and criticise the lack of obvious grammar or structure – totes atrosh – but actually I think it's exciting. We don't own our language – it will be here long after us, still changing….
Actually I'm very sad to have to inform you but I have heard Miss Ten and Dark Princess (14) say in words “L.O.L” WTF?? ;-p I've written a wee primer for all us oldies so we can keep abreast of the changes in modern language. http://www.vegemitevix.com/2010/01/teenglish-lo… But as for totes atrosh? I know not. *shakes head* I love language. Adore it. Studied Chaucer and early English, and studied Latin. It is an evolving creative, the English language.
Wtf? Omg!!
I red dis and totes LOLd.
The bit that I don't understand about the language “development', is the use of attempting to abbreviate words, only, they just end up being longer. And spelled horribly, horribly wrong.
I quite like to wtfomgstfulmaopmsl all the time; just the use of them make me laugh, and more often than not when I TYPE lol, I'm ACTUALLY laughing out loud. I do fear where it's going; I see the idea of development, but it really does make me wary and apprehensive. + I wont b 1 ov dem wot wnts 2 spel wrds lyk dis 2 kp up wit ev1 els.
OMG LMAO Ur GR8 TTFN PS: Pop over to my place I have left something there for you xx
Fingers crossed! it will be interesting to see which, if any, stand the test of time.
My daughter says LOLZ out loud just as its spelt and she also says “oh-em-gee” – and I'm wondering how she went from 5 merits to none?… duh!
ROFL always makes me think of Rolf Harris.
I've yet to see “totes atrosh” and I'd probably have an aneurysm if I did. Although, I'm almost ashamed to admit that I've said “LOL”, pronounced “LAWL” out loud in real life off the internet several times……../facepalm
Purist!
Like, I dunno wtf ur on abt. Lack of vwls is gr8!
……. Seriously, now, Heather, this makes my blood run cold as well. But I doubt kids will ever actually SAY lol or lmao. I mean, how much more bother it is to spell out “Ell Em Ay Oh” instead of just saying (aherm) “one laughed one's arse off”?
My son often says LOL instead of laughing, so I floored him the other night by saying WTF?, then pointing at him and saying ROFL. He certainly STFU after that.
I haven't got a clue what half these abbreviations are. I'm feeling so middle aged!
I love the fact that language is fluid, even if I don't like all of the words. Inevitably some will fall out of use and some will enter Oxford English Dictionary. Splendid was slang once upon a time.
I hate the fact that language changes! I hate even more that I use some modern turns of phase, never “totes atrosh” though! I long for the days when spelling and grammar were important, when accent and pronunciation were everything. *sigh*