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Words Change Over Time By Joan Hertel
The computer industry has introduced such words as
“hardware”, “mouse”, and “port.” Different countries use the same
word but with different meanings. As technical communication as a
field grows into the future, we need to remember that words evolve.
It will be up to the technical communicator to use words that have
the best fit. Below are the definitions of three words that have had
their meaning added to because of the computer industry. The main
definitions are all taken from OneLook® Dictionary Search located at
located at http://www.onelook.com.
Hardware - The word hardware is a noun
with three definitions. First, it is major item of military weaponry
(as in tanks or missiles). Second, according to Wikipedia located at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware, it is equipment such as
fasteners, keys, locks, hinges, wire, chains, plumbing supplies,
tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts, especially when they are
made of metal. An additional comment made on Wikipedia is that in
the United States, hardware has been traditionally sold in "hardware
stores". The third definition is from the emergence of the computer
industry. Hardware is defined as the mechanical, magnetic,
electronic, and electrical components that make up a computer
system.
Port - The word port is a noun that indicates an
opening for firing through, a sweet dark-red dessert wine originally
from Portugal, a place where people and merchandise can enter or
leave a country, the left side of a ship or aircraft to someone
facing the bow or nose, or the newest definition, a computer circuit
consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one
device with another. The Australian English Macquarie Dictionary
located at http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au. lists the word
port as derived from portmanteau and is defined as a suitcase or
shopping bag. Mouse - The word mouse seems simple, but is it? OneLook® Dictionary Search lists the word mouse as a noun indicating “any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails.” The other meaning for mouse is “a hand-operated electronic device that controls the coordinates of a cursor on your computer screen as you move it around on a pad.” The latter definition is the newest definition courtesy of the computer industry. What else is a mouse? Mouse is used as slang in Great Britain. Also, mouse has five acronyms according to STANDS4.com, an acronym and abbreviation online dictionary. Mouse stands for:
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