Let’s face it… some stereotypes exist for a reason. Even among native English speakers, in general, programmers are not known for their English skills. I know a few who buck that trend, but there are plenty of examples to prove the rule.
For example, while withdrawing a student from a course earlier today, the system sent back this confirmation message:
Withdrawment was successful.
Yeah. That’s a whole new word right there. Thanks for your contribution to the English language, nameless programmer.
Most of you have probably run across these kinds of things as you work with the various computers that permeate our lives. Whether it’s the grocery store self-checkout, the gas station self-serve pump, or the computer in your house, some programmer got the technical part right (hopefully) but let the English slip.
What examples have you seen?
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Tags: computers, English, funny, programmers, stereotypes
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Or? It could be someone who enjoys making up words for their own amusement, rather than someone whose
first language may not be English.
witchypoos latest blog post..Psychic Hotline
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Jeff says:
November 26th, 2008 at 11:51 am
You’re right, it could be. Not the most professional approach for a public release, in my opinion, but it’s possible.
And though I didn’t make it clear, I was speaking of programmers whose first language is English. I’ll amend the post to clarify.
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Jim Jenson says:
November 26th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I found one just today. In MS Outlook 2003 if you want to change your stationary, you need to go into the Stationary Picker. Hmm. Could we find a better word than Picker. Sounds like something my kids would use to describe their index finger.
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Jeff says:
November 26th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
My kids have those too. My wife is on a mission to correct that behavior.
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