Is "Thingy" a Word?

by Jenn Proulx

Remember the days when you had to thumb through the pages of a dictionary to find definitions as part of a homework assignment? I remember filling a notebook with words and meanings, but had no concept of how to use them in regular conversation. Ever heard of the phrase, use it or lose it?  

For example, I remember sitting down for lunch at school one day and before I started eating I removed all the meat from my sandwich. It was at this point when someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked, “Are you a vegetarian?”  

I thought vegetarian was the same as veterinarian so I responded with, “I would like to become one when I’m older.” Luckily, the person simply walked away confused. I’m sure vegetarian was probably one of the hundreds of vocabulary words filling my notebook, but I rarely used it.
 
As an adult, I’ve recognized that the vocabulary we use on a daily basis is largely dependent on our surroundings and career. I’m a marketing person, and have been learning the methodology behind inbound marketing. During my research I discovered a glossary that contained “only” 250 inbound marketing terms and definitions. 

Beyond trying to keep up with my peers, who have their own extensive list of vocabulary words, I now have to become familiar with 250 new terms that relate to my job. The challenging part is learning new terms that you can’t use on a daily basis but you try to retain for the sake of staying current with the world around you. 

The age of the Internet has brought with it even more challenges with the constantly changing landscape of language and word use. By the time I get a grasp on one term, five new terms have already emerged. In fact, I was reading an article the other day about the top 10 most unusual wedding words. Do any of these ring a bell: bridaller (a wedding guest), paranymph (groomsman or bridesmaid), agamy (attending a wedding alone)? 

Even Microsoft Word shows discontent by its pretty wavy red line when you use language so specific to an event or profession. These days it’s easy to dismiss what Word states as incorrect and instead just “Google it” to find what word you want and how you want to use it. I’m sure 10 various definitions will show up, some more credible than others. Have you ever used the word, “thingy”? Well, according to Merriam-Webster it doesn’t have its own 
definition, but I still like to use it.

Did you know that the term “instant” means a “certain” point in time, but is commonly used to describe a short period of time, such as in the term “instant” coffee? With the general use of instant, its definition has changed over time. Just like how “New Englanders” use the term “wicked” as emphasizing just how awesome or cool the “thingy” is.  

So how do I keep up with new terminology in this day and age? By reading, reading whatever, whenever I can. And I listen. I listen to my peers, my family and my teachers in order to become familiar with how to use different words in every day conversation. 

#Readingismythingy.

Jenn is the Marketing Coordinator at the Stern Center.