4 ms·
I get what you mean in that names definitely change as we get used to them. But these names aren't created equal. "Duck" is a noun. There's a very definite, "m
by Legion 16y ago
I get what you mean in that names definitely change as we get used to them.
But these names aren't created equal. "Duck" is a noun. There's a very definite, "meat-space" thing attached to that word. It's a whole lot harder to visualize a "Google" (a google of what?) than it is a duck. And what's a Bing?
I don't think there's any level of familiarity that will allow me to read Duck Duck Go and not see a duck. Again, is it a bad thing? I don't know. Maybe it's a good thing. But it is a thing, it's not just like the others.
- Qz 16y agoI know what you're saying, but I disagree. Modern english is literally littered with words that originally meant entirely different things than we currently use them for. Remember 'booting up' your computer? It comes from bootstrapping, which comes from the literal straps on boots, which you put on feet. But I doubt you were thinking about feet when your computer was booting up. If Duck Duck Go becomes successful, it is not hard for me to imagine a scenario where I could say Duck Duck Go without thinking of ducks.
- Legion 16y agoIt will be interesting times indeed if the word "duck" becomes as antiquated and removed from day-to-day use as "bootstrapping". I weep for the ducks. :(
- Qz 16y agoPeople still use the word boot for boots, and will use 'duck' for ducks, except when saying Duck Duck Go in which case they will think of 'that thing that replaced Google'.