Changes in language

Nurses General Nursing

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I was talking with my sisters recently about how we are raising our children in a completely different world than the one we grew up in. We arethe first (and only) generation of parents to straddle a life experience both with and without the internet and countless technology marvels. Our generation being the last with a low tech childhood and among the first of the truly high tech parents. Important to keep in mind when we help mold young minds daily- their reality is completely different than what most of us knew growing up.

So we were coming up with words/phrases that had little to no meaning just 15 year ago that are now commonplace. Please feel free to add any others you can think of!

Wi-fi hotspot

Going viral

Podcast

Tweet

Smart phone

Obamacare

KKCO

Selfie

FaceTime

Rear view camera

There's an app for that

Trending

Hash tag

ISIS

Autocorrect

Nine-eleven

Millennial

Linked in

Streaming

Paleo

Widespread use of text speak (LOL, BRB, OMG)

Follow me on [social media outlet]

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

nothing to add but quick story. I told my 13 y/o grandson that I had trouble with some apps because I did not understand what they were telling me to do. He said it was because I spoke "old English" . Guess he was right. So thou should be aware

There are also words that drop out of a language, unfamiliar to a younger generation. My kids once asked me what an "ashtray" was. I grew up when every house had one around, even if the family didn't smoke.

There are also words that drop out of a language, unfamiliar to a younger generation. My kids once asked me what an "ashtray" was. I grew up when every house had one around, even if the family didn't smoke.

Interesting! Very true. I almost never see ashtrays anymore. Growing up, my mom smoked so I never had any taboo associated with it but these days it seems like anyone who is a smoker is treated like a felon. (Yes, I know this is an exaggeration ;) )

Specializes in Med/surg.

Google, as in "Google it" to search for something

Vlogging

YouTube

Netflix

Streaming (for movies/music)

If I think of more I'll add in :D

The other day we were talking about types of cars/trucks and my son had no idea what a station wagon was. He's a teen, I haven't even hit 40 yet, but I was just amazed.

My husband and I were also recently talking about that game "Oregon Trails" that we used to play in elementary school on those old huge Apple computers. I know my kids would have no idea about this. Even a phone that requires a base and cord is foreign to them.

Even a phone that requires a base and cord is foreign to them.

One of my jobs is as a school nurse and there are times when the students (ages 10-13) use my phone to call home and are simply lost. The idea of pressing the numbers is weird to them and they often do not push hard enough. And, inevitably, after they dial, they ask "What do I do now?" when they find there is no "send" key. I tell them "Put the phone up to your ear and wait."

Once a student got a busy signal and handed me the phone and said "I don't know what's happening"

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Old English, like from back when the kings of the Spear-Danes led with courage and greatness?? You ARE a crusty old bat! :oldman: :cheeky:

"Hwæt! We Gardena in geardagum,

þeodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,

hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon.

Oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum"

I have a 13-yr-old daughter who lately thinks it's funny to take digs at MY age. I guess it's payback time for all the heck I gave my own. ;)

nothing to add but quick story. I told my 13 y/o grandson that I had trouble with some apps because I did not understand what they were telling me to do. He said it was because I spoke "old English". Guess he was right. So thou should be aware

Hacked.

This can be used in several contexts.

Decorating or storage ideas are often mentioned as being hacked from popular stores or designers.

Account hacked=nothing but trouble

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Yup, the black screen w/ the green graphics! And remember floppy disks, when they were actually floppy? Games that used a joy stick?

The other day my mom and I were talking about underwater vacation photography. I mentioned that when my husband and I went snorkeling in Mexico, I'd purchased a disposable waterproof camera, but then had a hard time finding a place to develop the film. My 13-yr old daughter asked, "But when you use film, don't you only get to take a few pictures? And you don't even know if they turned out?" I told her, "That's how ALL family photography used to be!" :)

The other day we were talking about types of cars/trucks and my son had no idea what a station wagon was. He's a teen, I haven't even hit 40 yet, but I was just amazed.

My husband and I were also recently talking about that game "Oregon Trails" that we used to play in elementary school on those old huge Apple computers. I know my kids would have no idea about this. Even a phone that requires a base and cord is foreign to them.

had a hard time finding a place to develop the film. My 13-yr old daughter asked, "But when you use film, don't you only get to take a few pictures? And you don't even know if they turned out?" I told her, "That's how ALL family photography used to be!" :)

That's funny- just recently my 10 year old read the Walgreens sign that said "One hour photo" and asked why they were advertising it. I told her how we used to have to bring film into the store and wait several days to get pictures back. Now kids pose as soon as they see a phone and once a picture is taken they run to get a look at it!

Specializes in LTC.

My 6 year old was playing with one of those old fashioned Fisher Price toy phone (the rotery type one) and kept calling it a clock and asking why it didn't have the right numbers on it. I told her it was a phone and she couldn't believe it. I guess she's never know a phone without a touchscreen!

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