Prevalence of the word "app"

[chill.]

anyone else notice how popular the word "app" has becoming lately?

maybe it's just me, but it seems as if the word has sprung up in the last couple years. i guess that it got popular from the app store? i remember a time when software was only referred to as applications or programs. now i'm hearing app more and more and more

i have mixed feelings about it. in a way i'm sad for the shortening/degeneration of english, in another i'm sort of amazed at how i've personally experienced this cultural change

 

[flopticalcube]

Its much, much older. I remember it from the late 80's when NextStep used the .app extension to indicate application bundles. Developers often referred to applications as apps. I think Atari and DR-DOS also used it. Its merely a contraction.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Its much, much older. I remember it from the late 80's when NextStep used the .app extension. I think Atari and DR-DOS also used it.

The discussion is about how popular the word has become lately, not when it was first used, but I see your point.

I think it gets a little annoying when people use the word "app" as if "apps" are something new and exciting.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

Anyway it's somewhat ironic that we call iPhone applications "apps", but not it's not really popular to call applications "apps" on a Mac, even though the extension of the phone applications is .ipa and on a Mac it's .app.

 

[techfreak85]

For me, "Apps" has kinda become like people using the word "gigs"(as in gigabytes)-- people just throw it out there and sound stupid while doing it.

 

[ravenvii]

For me, "Apps" has kinda become like people using the word "gigs"(as in gigabytes)-- people just throw it out there and sound stupid while doing it.

Personally I hate the word "gigs" too, but I actually don't mind "apps".

 

[clevin]

anyone else notice how popular the word "app" has becoming lately?

maybe it's just me, but it seems as if the word has sprung up in the last couple years. i guess that it got popular from the app store? i remember a time when software was only referred to as applications or programs. now i'm hearing app more and more and more

i have mixed feelings about it. in a way i'm sad for the shortening/degeneration of english, in another i'm sort of amazed at how i've personally experienced this cultural change

there is no culture change, vast majority people still call softwares on windows, you might be influenced more because you are staying in a similar circle for too long

 

[flopticalcube]

BTW, "App" has made the

Lake Superior State University 2010 List of Banished Words

"Must we b sbjct to yt another abrv? Why does the English language have to fit on a two-inch screen? I hate the sound of it. I think I'll listen to a symph on the rad." -- Edward R. Bolt, Grand Rapids, Mich.
"Is there an 'app' for making this annoying word go away? Why can't we just call them 'programs' again?" – Kuahmel Allah, Los Angeles, Calif.

 

[FX120]

I was just thinking about this tonight.

Application.

 

[chill.]

Personally I hate the word "gigs" too, but I actually don't mind "apps".

well that put things into perspective. i actually use the term "gigs" (quite) a bit

heh heh

 

[techfreak85]

well that put things into perspective. i actually use the term "gigs" (quite) a bit

heh heh

Ya, but in the unintelligent sounding way where you just like tossing it around? I use it often enough too, but it bugs me when people who just say stuff like "You got a new iPod? How many gigs does it have?". That kinda stuff. Ya I know its "right" but it still bugs me.

 

[Beric]

"Gigs" irritates me, but "apps" is fine.