Netymology: From Apps to Zombies; A Linguistic Celebration of the Digital World

Slimmer and far more engaging than the average dictionary, this volume contains 100 short essays on the lingo, abbreviations, and turns of phrase that have proliferated in the online world. British technology writer Chatfield catalogs the evolving English language with entries on words such as LOLZ, pwn, twitterverse, netiquette, and even the venerable byte. Chatfield's expansive knowledge of pop culture and technology lends intrigue to even an utterance of indifference, meh%E2%80%94popularized, perhaps, by its use on the television show The Simpsons in the 1990s before it became a staple of online chat conversations. Moreover, he incorporates the linguistic roots of many terms. Discussing the phenomenon of a digital artifact going viral, he begins with the 1890s classification of the biological analogue. Obscure anecdotes and a good sense of humor ensure this volume will charm and inform both tech buffs and those who navigate the digital world with trepidation. The essays are only a few pages long, so reading the book straight through is a staccato experience but still pleasurable. (Aug.)