Language.
keets
Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
Numismatics tends to be a very narrow discipline with its own words and language, things which tend to be used only within the Hobby by collectors, dealers and others who interact with them. As a result, the things we say and the words we use to describe what we do often puzzle people. Those words are often sort of "antiquated" but to us they are very familiar and useful. Heck, we even have our own Glossary so that WE know what we're taking about!! It makes me think of George Carlin who seemed fascinated by linguistics and the evolution of the "American" language. He was a genius in that regard and no doubt could have had fun with us. George might have made for a good keynote speaker at an ANA Convention Dinner. 
The thing that catches my attention is how words and phrases come into common, everyday use. You might understand that if you've read some of my posts, but maybe not. I've railed against the word "impact" and its recent use as a Verb, convinced it's because people get confused with how/when to use affect and effect. I even get confused myself, but I digress. There are other words which seem to come into use, have a brief and exciting life before becoming pedestrian. Lately I have noticed them being used in our Hobby and I'm struck that its because of the COVID-19 lockdown. We're spending more time in isolation and seem to be influenced by what we here on television, Hollywood and from the media.
Their words can creep into out us and become our words when we come to the forum or just discuss coins with other dealers and collectors. I wonder if I'm alone in noticing this??? My latest Carlin-esque mental hotfoot is the word backstory. I think it gets used out of convenience and because it's been heard enough times, but a backstory sort of relates to fiction and not the true History of our coins and medals. There are others, but that's at the top of my current list.
If you've been active in the Hobby of Kings for an extended period of time can you think of any words which have crept in from popular culture, words that sort of seem out of place here??
Al H.
Comments
backstory
noun
noun: backstory; plural noun: backstories; noun: back-story; plural noun: back-stories
a history or background, especially one created for a fictional character in a motion picture or television program.
Since especially isn't equivalent to exclusively, there's nothing incorrect about using the word backstory in the context of a coin.
Your backstory is impactful, keets.
I like that funky eagle. Is funky an appropriate term to use with a coin design? I think so.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Honestly, it didn't have much of an affect on me.
I will say that every time I read about someone pouring over their coins, I wonder what liquid they're using and hope no damage occurs.
But it could have been influential versus having an impact!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
You're right, I probably shouldn't of said that.
BTW and OT (apologies to keets) - this is an excellent little reference book:
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Language is highly fluid and constantly evolves. Add into that English’s ability (though not unique) to take nearly any word and turn it into a noun, verb, adverb, or adjective and things get downright silly. I’ve researched the etymology of many words in English and it is always a fascinating story how particular words come to be.
On YouTube there is a guy who has spent a lot of time researching language and putting together fast paced, interesting, and educational videos. I recommend taking some time to look at his stuff if you get a chance.
https://youtube.com/user/Alliterative
https://youtube.com/user/NativLang
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
etymology can be slipped up and used as eNtymology. American English can be darn right confusing.
i like this post @keets . My wife is from Brazil. We are married twenty years. When I met her, she spoke Portuguese, Spanish, and a little Ukranian, and was learning English. She now is 100% fluent in English and has been a HS Spanish teacher for a long time. We talk about language a lot. Many different and wonderful conversations. Great topic.
I can't think of any answers for you, but i will be on the lookout.
It failed to effect much of a reaction in me.
It's usually acetone. Everything will be fine.
it's nice that everyone has a keen sense of humor, we'll need that as Winter begins today. on the bright side of things, the days will start to slowly get longer and we will also almost assuredly be able to gather again. this would be a good topic for coin show gatherings.
I have used the term 'backstory' for years when pursuing the history of things - including coins. But one current phrase that is becoming irritating is 'new normal'. No... this is all abnormal and I want to return to normal... Cheers, RickO
I don't see how a coin's grade can be called a 'lowball', when the word means an unrealistically low offer
I guess it's a pet peeve, but calling coins "her" is another thing I find irritating, unless it's providing you with human companionship
Commems and Early Type
Sorry, correct usage in this thread is a FAIL.
Sometimes folks who are impacted are really dented no?
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Lowball is also a poker game where low hand wins, so I'm not really bothered by its usage in the Registry context.
I used to be bothered by the use of "her" for coins, but I guess too many other things that bother me a lot more have transpired since then.
BTW, along those lines, I'd highly recommend a comedy routine called "Earl's Rooter" by Marc Maron, which is available on various streaming services.
And lastly, here's a medal I love from Switzerland, a country where at least four languages are commonly spoken:
What! You don't cuddle with your coins at night?
I'd use the word "arcane" here. Second-nature words to us that are nonsense to others.
I can hear it now.
Coin Collecting vs. Stamp Collecting
A coin is struck. A stamp is printed.
A coin is made with a hammer die and an anvil die. A stamp is made with a plate.
A coin is made from ore mined from the ground and refined with fire. A stamp is paper and gum.
A coin is meant to be slammed on a bar in exchange for alcohol. A stamp is made to be licked and carefully stuck on an envelope.
&c.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
tr.v. ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects
To bring about; make happen; cause or accomplish: effect a cure for a disease; effect a change in policy. See Usage
Your correction is a FAIL!
I wasn't correcting you. I was attempting some humor. Your failure to pick up on that may indicate a mild case of PTSD... understandably.
Sorry. I would have responded sooner, but my hands wouldn't stop shaking.
@jmlanzaf It's usually acetone. Everything will be fine.
Yeah, just take a deep breath and
everythng
wll
b
final.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Since especially isn't equivalent to exclusively, there's nothing incorrect about using the word backstory in the context of a coin.
use of the word "backstory" is relatively new. now, just as with "impact" it is tending to be used as a substitute for another word, history.
I bet we all use the phrase "mint condition" at some point. Like that 1955 Chevy is in Mint condition. But I am not sure if it is just a phrase used by everyone as oppose to a few coin collectors.
WS
Every time I view or examine a coin, I am filled with descriptive thoughts of condition because that's what's fulfilling in this hobby, for me. I am grateful to be able to immerse myself in this window into world history. Merry Christmas all. Be safe. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
This makes sense. I like it. Merry Christmas to you and to all here as well.
Why would someone use "impact" as a substitute for "history"?
FWIW, I don't really have a problem with "impact" as a verb, either.
Vintage. Does not always mean of high value or expensive.
Saw the title and thought it was about Captain America.
This thread reminded me of an interesting book I'm gonna read again. Word Freak by Stefan Fatsis. So you want to become a professional Scrabble player? Check it out!
Merry Christmas everyone. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
The word "grade".
In school, it is a measurement of how well you know the material given.
In coins, it is a measurement given to the material.
In school, you can get a failing grade. In coins, a coin can fail to grade. In both you are submitting something for a grade.
In school, resubmissions are rare. In coins, they are more common - but only for rare coins.
In the rare case you resubmit something in school, and change nothing, you can anger the grader.
If you resubmit a coin, you are not supposed to change anything from before.
A set of coins and a set of classes can both have a GPA. A "lowball" GPA in school can get you put on double secret probation.
No one calls the school valedictorian the "top pop" - although technically they could be called that.
No one calls the top pop graded coin the "valedictorian" - although technically they could be called that.
"backstory" is slightly different than "history" to my mind. The history of something, coin included, refers to the specific tale of the coin passing through time. "Backstory" tends to refer to a tangential piece of history that isn't directly related to the coin itself.
For example, pedigree is "history". This coin is Jones/Smith/Atwater. But the story of how Atwater sold his car to buy the coin from Smith's estate is the "backstory" of that coin. Or the story of how George Washington approved the dies for the coin is also, possibly, "backstory".
But that might just be me.
It can also be an adjective as in "impact hammer".
Irregardless, your point is mute.
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Good and interesting perspective.
This thread arose (in part, I believe) because after I revealed the grade in a recent GTG thread, I said "Here's the backstory of the coin, for those who may be interested". I then went on to recount how I acquired it and the reasons for and result of a subsequent regrade many years later.
I would likely have used the word "history" instead had I been imparting more general information about the coin before I owned it. FWIW.
Posts like this make me loose my mind.
You guys are like peas in a pod the way you compliment each other!
LOL. Subtle.
"Lose"/"loose" is so common now, it is in danger of becoming the new correct spelling.
As opposed to the obverse of the coin passing through time.
LOL. Subtle.
"Lose"/"loose" is so common now, it is in danger of becoming the new correct spelling.> @oldabeintx said:
Lol. Oops
I saw acetone referred to earlier. Be careful, I believe it is both flammable and inflammable.
Actually, this is an excellent example of a coin collecting term that has fully migrated to the mainstream. "Mint condition" is used for almost anything to indicate that the item is in new, unused condition. MIB, or "Mint in Box" is another of the same.
mbogoman
https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/classic-issues-colonials-through-1964/zambezi-collection-trade-dollars/7345Asesabi Lutho
Indeed English is difficult. It can be understood through tough thorough thought though.
Mostly, I’m eternally stuck on dealing with there, their, and they’re. After that, it’s and its come to mind. I know these rules inside & out, but frequently when I proof-read a post prior to hitting the button I’ve made a grammar blunder. It makes me slightly more gracious when others do it. Only slightly though.
One that makes me nuts lately is when people want to sale something. Sometimes, their trying to sale something so they don’t loose they’re home.
01001110 01110101 01101101 01100010 01100101 01110010 01110011 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101111 01101110 01101100 01111001 00100000 01110101 01101110 01101001 01110110 01100101 01110010 01110011 01100001 01101100 00100000 01101100 01100001 01101110 01100111 01110101 01100001 01100111 01100101 00100000
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
I used to hear “Mint in Box” quite a bit when I collected antique toys. And “mint condition” is used in all sorts of collectible categories.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I learned to watch my language, and that is when the art of hand gestures spoke. The time discipline first hurt. ( a back story).
My #1 grammar pet peeve is (drumroll please!):
should of
Folks, it's "should have" or "should've".
Now go open your other presents, and Merry Christmas!
I could of not agreed more.
Well, maybe I could have.
😉
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.