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DICTIONARY: Pre-internet vs. Post-internet


Technological change, as we know, provokes linguistic and cultural change, too. It’s the reason why, several times a year, dictionaries comes with the addition of new and typically very trendy words.


Here, the list shows how technology has shaped language over time.


 
Block
Pre-internet: “to be placed in front of something, such as a road or path, so that people or things cannot pass through.”

Post-internet: to prevent someone from contacting you on a social network like Twitter, 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.”

Post-internet: “a Twitter conversation that has picked up too many usernames for an actual conversation to take place.”
 
Catfish
Pre-internet: “a freshwater or marine fish with whisker like barbels around the mouth, typically bottom-dwelling.”

Post-internet: “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 (as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon.”

Post-internet: “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.”
 
Fan
Pre-internet: “an apparatus with rotating blades that creates a current of air for cooling or ventilation.”

Post-internet: “a person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person or thing.”
 
Firehose
Pre-internet: “a large-diameter hose used in extinguishing fires.”

Post-internet: “a very large stream of data.”
 
Footprint
Pre-internet: “a track or mark left by a foot or shoe.”

Post-internet: “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.”

Post-internet: “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.”

Post-internet: to subscribe to someone’s updates on social media.
 
Like
Pre-internet: “to be suitable or agreeable to.”

Post-internet: “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.”

Post-internet: “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.”

Post-internet: “to make contact with someone by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message.”
 
Profile
Pre-internet:“a representation of something in outline; a concise biographical sketch.”

Post-internet: “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.”

Post-internet: “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.”

Post-internet: “to move the fingers across a touchscreen.”
 
Tablet
Pre-internet: “a flat piece of stone, clay, or wood that has writing on it.” or "medicine"

Post-internet: “a general-purpose computer contained in a touchscreen panel.”
 
Tag
Pre-internet: “to supply with an identifying marker or price; to attach as an addition.”

Post-internet: 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.”

Post-internet: “to send a text message.”
Timeline
Pre-internet: “a table listing important events for successive years within a particular historical period.”

Post-internet:“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.”

Post-internet: “a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people.”
 
Tweet
Pre-internet:“a chirping note.”

Post-internet: “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 by removing its plug.”

Post-internet: “to refrain from using digital or electronic devices for a period of time.”
 
Viral
Pre-internet:“of, relating to, or caused by a virus.”

Post-internet:“becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet.”
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