WORDS, JIM, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW THEM Language evolves with a rash of new words
THE Oxford Dictionary has just announced new words that have been added to its vocabulary of common useage. They include ‘selfie’ (pointing a mobile phone camera at yourself or friends), ‘twerking’ (something to do with dance move far removed from a foxtrot) - neither of which you are likely to see regularly used in Service Dealer.
And one other word that does resonate with us - of which more later.
It set me thinking about my favourite words, those that just roll of tongue, that have a degree of mystery about them. For me they include (in no particular order) Serendipidy; Mellifluous; Quidnunc; Googly; Portmanteau or the more recent Omnishambles. Indeed a favourite challenge to sports commentators from colleagues is to include a particular word in their commentary. I would just love to hear Aggers throw down the gauntlett to ‘Sir Geoffrey’ to use ‘discombobulated’ in his Ashes summary! (although after last night's performance at Brisbane, it sounds a very apt description!)
It also set me thinking about words that we used yesteryear, which raises a smirk amongst our off-spring when we drop them into conversation. ‘Bags’ (trousers), gramophone and radiogram; telex, Mod, goalie; spiffing; half-back; typewriter; Select-O-Speed (ah, memories), expense chitty; aerodrome and passenger (for we are now customers).
So what is that word that has been lined up to accompany ‘selfie’ and ‘twerking’ in the Oxford dictionary this year?
It’s ‘showrooming’. Says what it is on the tin. The practice of customers browsing in a showroom before going back home to buy the product online. That rings a bell doesn’t it?
In this industry, most manufacturers are still no nearer to finding an answer to the practice - except perhaps one. GGP have thought it through, come up with an online strategy that seems to work and is transparent in delivering a margin to dealers. Sure it‘s not perfect, but dealers are starting to trust GGP's online strategy if the numbers that attended their conferences this year is any indication.
