# Orientate is Not a Word **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 25, 2000, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750 "2000-07-25T08:06:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Klaatu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/1 "2000-07-25T08:06:21Z")
Orientate IS NOT a WORD! 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. Just a mini-rant, but it pisses me off. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/2 "2000-07-25T08:24:42Z")
> [@](#): > > This is as bad as how “nuclear” gets butchered. “‘Nucular.’ It’s pronounced ‘nucular.’” ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/3 "2000-07-25T08:29:32Z")
Please give examples… I have never heard anyone saying orientate. ---
**Author:** ![Astroglide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@Astroglide](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroglide)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/4 "2000-07-25T11:34:22Z")
It is very much a word. from [http://www.m-w.com](http://www.m-w.com) > [@](#): > > Main Entry: ori·en·tate > Pronunciation: 'Or-E-&n-"tAt, 'or-, -"en- > Function: verb > Inflected Form(s): -tat·ed; -tat·ing > Date: 1849 > transitive senses : ORIENT > intransitive senses : to face or turn to the east I know what you mean, though. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/5 "2000-07-25T12:49:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroglide \* > \*\*It is very much a word. > > from [http://www.m-w.com](http://www.m-w.com) > > > [@](#): > > > > Main Entry: ori·en·tate > > Pronunciation: 'Or-E-&n-"tAt, 'or-, -"en- > > Function: verb > > Inflected Form(s): -tat·ed; -tat·ing > > Date: 1849 > > transitive senses : ORIENT > > intransitive senses : to face or turn to the east > > I know what you mean, though. > \*\* Well, if it _is_ a word, it shouldn’t be. Fenris, who hates that word. ---
**Author:** ![Phobos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Phobos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phobos)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/6 "2000-07-25T13:00:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bear\_Nenno \* > \*\*Please give examples… I have never heard anyone saying orientate. \*\* 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 ---
**Author:** ![Bluepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Bluepony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluepony)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/7 "2000-07-25T13:29:31Z")
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”. Orientate- it is a disturbing and silly word. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/8 "2000-07-25T14:04:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Some dictionaries are even allowing this word, albeit with a disclaimer. “Allowing”? Dictionaries are **de** scriptive, not **pre** secriptive. They update themselves by collecting new words and examples of new usage from the language. This isn’t France. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/9 "2000-07-25T15:01:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Some dictionaries are even allowing this word, albeit with a disclaimer. > > “Allowing”? Dictionaries are **de** scriptive, not **pre** secriptive. They update themselves by collecting new words and examples of new usage from the language. This isn’t France. \*\* Are you saying **Klaatu** wants to _Frankificate_ the language?? ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/10 "2000-07-25T15:09:17Z")
Seems that using “orientate” is like picking your nose at the table during a dinner party. It’s not illegal, but polite people shouldn’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![Ptahlis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a8b319/32.png) [@Ptahlis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ptahlis)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/11 "2000-07-25T15:59:19Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/12 "2000-07-25T16:11:41Z")
Yeah, how dare editors allow a language to evolve. It was a lot better when in was just “ugh” and “oogh.” ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/13 "2000-07-25T16:17:25Z")
At the U.N. picnic: “How much did The Congo Eat?” “Not as much as the Orientate.” ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/14 "2000-07-25T16:47:43Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/15 "2000-07-25T16:51:39Z")
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.” ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/16 "2000-07-25T17:11:39Z")
I hate people say something “isn’t a word”. What the fuck is it then? pldennison hit the nail on the head, the dictionary is not the authority of a language. Saying language has to follow a dictionary is like saying nature has adapt to what’s written in a biology book. ---
**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/17 "2000-07-25T18:20:34Z")
Klaatu, verata, nichtu… ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/18 "2000-07-25T18:32:51Z")
It’s “Klaatu barada nikto”. Doesn’t anyone use the Gortian dictionary anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/19 "2000-07-25T18:37:43Z")
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” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2000, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750/20 "2000-07-25T18:53:22Z")
Now how the Hell am I supposed to make a cheesy pun out of “Klaatu barada nikto”??? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orientate-is-not-a-word/26750.md?page=2)