The gentle snowflake has made its way on to the list of words that have changed meaning.  The thought of a snowflakes  brings thoughts of joy, wonder, peace, soft, beautiful, enchanting and many other wonderful adjectives.  Unfortunately, the changed meaning is negative.  In years past, the slang term “flake” was the abbreviation for snowflake  and is sometimes used in place of snowflake today.  Currently, the preference is to use the entire word, snowflake which adds more drama and imagery.

Snowflake has an added meaning defined by adjectives that include;  shallow, marginal, thin-skinned, unattractive, lazy, entitled and many other things.  Faith Salie of the CBS Sunday Morning television program does an excellent job of outlining how the word snowflake has an additional meaning.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/whos-the-snowflake-faith-salie-a-chilly-riposte-to-political-insults/#

As the Universe would have it, climate change has expanded our awareness in a new and different way.

Hack

 The word Hack has joined the list of words whose meaning has changed for the convenience of a group/culture who choose to indulge in the expanded meaning of the word.  Standard definitions of the word hack vary from: “to cut or chop with repeated and irregular blows to “, “a horse used for riding or driving; hackney (first known use 1672)”, “a worn-out horse for hire; jade; “one who undertakes unpleasant or distasteful tasks for money or reward.”

Typically, hack means something negative, something you don’t want to be a victim of. ….a hack into your bank account, your social media account, computer, home security system or a massive security breach of a Fortune 500 company.

Hack has replaced the word shortcut. It means an easy fix, a creative/easier way of doing something, or a new positive solution to a problem. Television shows advertise that they have the most current “hacks” which are really shortcuts to completing a task or remedies to common problems. There are hacks for the kitchen, the closet, cooking, etc. Why not just stay with the word “shortcut”…. I guess it is one syllable too many for some people. Anything that is a shortcut can now also be called a hack. The generation you are in might determine whether you use the standard definition of hack or the new expanded version.

The use of hack in place of shortcut blurs the line of communication, promotes acceptance of quasi-violent terminology and feeds the existing proliferation of violence in America. The word dope, which was discussed in an earlier post, is similar. The original meaning of dope is a stupid personality or something you don’t want to consume. Dope has replaced the slang term, “cool”. Most people are not aware of the true impact of what their choice of words does to the psyche of the user and the person they are speaking to. The changing meaning of certain words can also have a subliminal effect on the mind.

The word “dope” prior to 2000, was synonymous to drugs;  it was some type of pharmaceutical, a concoction,  in some cases, snake oil;  something unacceptable;  it could harm you or it was not good for you for sure.  While there is no specific date that the word changed meaning in some settings, ………….it now means “cool”, in agreement, good for you, acceptable.  Some car manufacturers have incorporated it into their TV advertising.  The change in the meaning of the word  is international and very popular with young people in  Japan and other countries.  It pays to be aware of the context and content of the sentence with regard to the intended meaning of  “dope”.