Shakespeare, Blogger

Molly Flatt investigates blog-speak:

Plenty of sites are now devoted to exploring the rich and strange world of Vocabulary 2.0. Collins has launched an online dictionary for "netheads" to debate net-influenced inclusions. NetLingo compiles the latest web words; Word Spy purports to practice "lexpionage", or "the sleuthing of new words and phrases"; and the Double-Tongued Dictionary is dedicated to fringe, slang and street English. Traditional media outlets now publish guides for navigating blogspeak. Of course many net coinages are plain ugly, and I hate text and chat room acronyms (IYKWIMAITYD). But as a lover of Latin and Middle English, I understand most of these new terms as inevitable products in a pleasingly democratic etymological evolution.