I am sick to hell of government officials, news media
people, and whoever else using this “word”
This is as bad as how “nuclear” gets butchered.
The word is oriented, as in how you relate to your
surroundings. Especially when relating to a map
and compass. I check the map, lay my compass on it
face the map according to north, and i am oriented.
Like many words, the meaning has taken a life of its
own over the years.
Some dictionaries are even allowing this word, albeit
with a disclaimer.
people often say “orientated” instead of “oriented”.
although, looking at my old dictionary, astroglide (eww!) is right…orientate is in there right along with orient
Gotta agree with Klaatu, even though “orientate” is actually listed (in between “Oriental rug” and “orientation”) in my Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate.
When I was in the military the word “orient” served just fine for map work. You can “orient” a map with the same definition as “orientate”, and save a few letters to boot! Letter conservation is everybody’s business right? I guess if you wanted to impress someone with your vast knowledge and wisdom you could use “orientate” instead of “orient”.
“Allowing”? Dictionaries are descriptive, not presecriptive. They update themselves by collecting new words and examples of new usage from the language. This isn’t France.
Not only has ‘orientate’ been cropping up lately, I’ve actually heard people use ‘disorientated.’ Where are the jack-booted Grammar Nazis when you really need them?
And while we’re on the subject, what use is the word “gracefulness?” How about just plain “grace?” No, apparently it is much more fun to take a noun, make it into an adjective, then make that adjective into a new, longer noun that is synonymous with the original word! Argh!
Eliot Ness and Tarzan on the set of Will and Grace:
Ness: “Gee, Tarzan, Grace sure enjoyed your Banana-Rhino casserole. She ate the most of it all ready. Do you think she’ll want seconds?”
Tarzan: “No, Grace full, Ness.”
Well, since I was just going by * Army of Darkness, * it’s a wee bit harder. That, and thie fact that I can’t spell to begin with…
But good to know. I mean, I’d hate going through life using those things I wrote, since they’re not “words”
