Ugh. Last weeks meetings were long, and there were many problems and hurdles to overcome — but the biggest was keeping from running screaming from the room (or else going postal with a baseball bat) whenever people (far too often) used the word “solution” as a verb, as in, “I need to solution this particular problem” or “We’re here to gather requirements; we shouldn’t be solutioning this yet.”
Um … shouldn’t the verb actually be solve?
32 view(s)
It should, but that would kill the Management Buzzword coolness. ;P
Remember, it is all about using the now buzzword and gaining street cred with your fellow peers.
Yeah, that would bother me as much as hearing “gift,” the noun form of the existing verb “give,” used as a verb.
Of course, nobody here would do that…
Hmmmmm.
My immediate response is that “gifting” is a bit different kettle of fish. After all, there is a long tradition of it in a verbal form — a “gifted child,” for example. If someone can be “gifted,” then “gift” would seem a natural verb to use.
“Gift” or “gifting” also implies (at least when I use or hear it) a more narrow meaning than “give” or “giving” — there’s a real sense of presents in the former, whereas the latter could be about anything.
Plus, “gift” is nice and Old Englishy kind of word, and just as short as “give.”
Plus, my antique 9th Ed Websters New Collegiate recognizes “gift” as a transitive verb, whereas “solution” is solely a noun.
“Gifted” is not a “verbal form.” It’s an adjective. I don’t think that it makes “gift” a natural verb. A deer may be “antlered,” but you wouldn’t use “antler” as a verb.
“Gift” as a verb seems unnecessary. If somebody gives you a present, you understand it to be a gift. It sounds unnatural and clunky to me to say “Let me gift you this book.”
I also refuse to use “reference” as a verb, even though its usage goes back to 1891. I know that this is how language evolves, and I really don’t mind it when nouns become entirely new verbs. It only rankles when a verbed noun already has an existing verb form.
I’m an old fuddy-duddy. Sue me. Or lawsuit me, even.
“Gifted” is indeed an adjective – derived from using the verb “gift.” Just like “shoplifted” (“he was caught with the shoplifted merchandise”) is derived from the verb “shoplift.”
Interesting point on “reference” as a verb. Now I’ll think of that when it comes up in the future.
I suppose I’m just as fuddy-duddy, at least when it comes to neologisms like that.
Hmmm … now I’m trying to remember the term that Nero Wolfe couldn’t abide for similar reasons.
“Contact” was not a verb in Wolfe’s house.
Ah. Yes.