Did you know that the word blog is only 10 years old. Ok, for you twenty somethings out there that might seem old to you. After all, it’s half your age. But to us old farts? That’s young. And I feel like the word has been around forever. But according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog), the word blog was coined in 1999. It’s a tongue in cheek reference to the word weblog. Then it became acceptable to refer to blog as both noun and verb. Then came the word blogger.
Frankly, I’m not enjoying the progression.
Weblog is ok. Direct. Succinct. Very business like.
Blog? While Michael Gorman of the Library Journal (http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA502009.html) likens the sound of the word blog to “something you would find stuck in your drain,” it is definitely tongue in cheek. Kinda cute even. I can live with it.
But blogger? I’m a blogger? Sounds too much like booger, blubber, Frogger. Dried nasal mucus? my expanding middle? An 80’s arcade game? No thanks.
Michael Gorman even takes the term one step further. He calls bloggers, “The Blog People.” The Blog People?!? Sounds like some B-grade, cult movie classic. Complete with quotable dialogue, “Oh no! It’s alive! IT’S ALIVE!”
There has got to be a better word. But it has to be catchy, current, hip. Something that creates the vision of a cute, petite, girl-next-door sitting at her laptop in her adorable cotton pj’s, but sexy all at the same time. Coffee cup (or sweet tea with 2 lemon slices) within arms reach. Her golden retriever, Max, sitting at her feet and her tabby, Scooter, purring softly next to her.
Seriously. Blogger of the Blog People. There has got to be a better word.
Suggestions?……… Anyone? Anyone?
Theycallmejane's Blog 
Brilliant post and ITA about the word “blogger”. It’s sooo…blah. Blahger. We definitely need something else.
Thanks for stopping by my new blog, it’s a work in progress. 🙂
Hi Jane,
thanks for the comment on my post – I appreciate it.
A better word for Bloggers / Blogging?
Hmm, i guess that ship has sailed, it’s too engrained
in everyone’s mind already 8-).
Greetings,
Georg from the “Original Articles” blog
(bleh, there’s that word again 8-)).
How about “Blooking” : Blogging about cooking
I know, right? I can’t believe there are more bloggers up in arms about it! A revolution, a movement demanding to be called something more respectable.
I can also feel a movement growing – you’ll see:
In a few years they’ll say “It all started at https://theycallmejane.wordpress.com where bloggers – as they were called back then – began to refuse to be called bloggers anymore” 8-).
Thanks for helping us along! You can support us at YOUR site!
No problem Jane – maybe I’ll even write about it 8-).
I’ve always aspired to cult B-movie status. Maybe that’s why the term never bothered me. Perhaps I should raise my standards?
You should raise your standards…because after reading YOUR blog you are much better than a mere “blogger.”
What else could you call it? I always liked the weblog because it sounded like we-blog, which is what we do. If I had my preferences I would be called a storyteller and so would you.
You know I’m going to think about this while I’m driving around doing errands this afternoon. So far I’ve only made it worse.
Blog writers = Blighters???
Nope…. still thinking!
Ha! I totally agree! What about “vlogging”? That word for video blogging is even more weird to me.
Thanks for the comment on my blog!