The Growth Of Our Language

Abstract

English is a language which is changing from day to day, so that words and terms which are, this year, slang or popular expressions, tomorrow will either have disappeared or will have been accepted as current and proper words to use. One of the most marked changes of this century has been in the acceptance and use by the public of words and phrases which have come from the laboratory; from which we realise the responsibility accepted by the scientists in making new words which are to pass into the English language. 

Conferences of scientists meet, and decide on the advisability for a word to express a particular idea; the word is then rigorously defined in its interpretation; but frequently it is not a well chosen word that is thus honoured. This is often due to the fact that, prior to its acceptance and definition, a word has become so generally employed as to make it the obvious one to serve for the purpose; its existence is recognised and legitimised by consent. That is an argument against the general acceptance of a word which anyone who uses it sufficiently often is able to force upon the language.