TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: OPINION: Dissin'? Arrgg! From:lori m long <llong -at- UNM -dot- EDU> Date:Fri, 10 Mar 1995 17:20:12 -0700
On Thu, 9 Mar 1995, Beverly Parks wrote:
> Someone had this line in a recent posting on a different subject:
> > ...don't think I'm "dissin'" y'all please).
> I don't like the term "dissin'." I'm not even sure what it
> means. But I'm sure the word it is meant to replace is a
> very good, established English word. One that the majority of
> the English-speaking world would understand. Unlike some
> new-fangled connection of letters that just sounds like someone
> never learned how to talk.
"Dissin'" means showing disrespect (as far as I know . . . ) So I
believe the word you're searching for is "disrespectful."
> Maybe I need to watch more MTV. Maybe MTV is the Learning
> Channel of the future.
I hope not! I can't afford Cable! ;)
I guess it all depends on how formal you expect folks to be on this
forum. I read an article called "Us Grammarians" (can't find it to be
more specific -- Sorry!) in which the author said "Is functionality a
word?" and answered himself by saying that Descriptive Grammarians would
say, "If it wasn't, it is now!" Languages grow and change rather
rapidly. Although I would not use "dissin'" myself, it could be a
commonly used word someday in the future (not supporting it, just stating
the possiblity . . . ).
Are you saying you would prefer that the individuals on the forum not use
colloquiallisms, even for the sake of style or humor?