English is a language rich in vocabulary, so why do we need to invent new words?

Question

I had to look up 'feisty' in my Englis/German Dictionary (2002), it wasn't in my OED ( 1985).
We used to 'copy' or 'reproduce', now we 'replicate'. (A tone one or more octaves above or below a given tone; folded back upon itself; to make a replica - OED).
According to OED 'iconic' applies 'memorial statues and busts of a fixed type'.
When some one ask me how long it takes to get to work, I don't say, 'the commute is 15 minutes.'

Answer 1

That is a very fine question. My answer would be that we do not need to invent more words.
The average person uses only a few hundred words in normal speech, which still leaves well over a hundred thousand untouched.
When I hear youngsters in the playground, it seems some of them could get along with ONE word only - but I'll not quote that particular word here!
English used to be a wonderful language.

Answer 2

The word feisty has fallen into disuse, but today means spunky, plucky (another word not commonly used today,) or frisky. It can also mean troublesome or difficult.

I am not certain why you could not find "feisty" in the OED. The on-line version lists many old definitions (most of which are not applicable in today's society) and states the origin of the word as meaning "a term of reproach among northern nations for an unwarlike fellow who stayed at home in the chimney corner" [O.E.D.]

A "copy" (noun) is a reproduction of an original (such as a book) whereas "reproduce" (action verb) means to bring into existence again or to produce offspring. To "replicate" (verb) is to make an exact duplication or reproduction. As you can see the words can be interchangable in most cases. (Except the word replicate which when used as an adjective means
"folded back upon itself.")

The definition of an icon (or ikon) is: a sacred image [Origin: 1565–75; < L < Gk eikn likeness, image, figure.] Today the definition includes "a graphic symbol" (computer science) or a figure that is larger than life, such as a popular Hollywood super-star.

I know many people that "commute" daily from our city to another either by train or car. The commute takes about 45 minutes.

Street slang (also called jargon) has always been around and changes with each new generation, but usually most of it is discarded after a few years. (We don't say "Hey Daddy-O" anymore.) Yet oftentimes necessity requires us to invent a new word for a new concept, such as "videophone," digital television," and so forth, even though the origins of the word can be found in Old Greek and Old Latin.

Answer 3

I am a bit of a purist when it comes to English. The sad fact is, however, that language is constantly evolving, and the current pollution as I see it comes from American TV and films and the erosion of proper spelling in order to facilitate text messaging.

My English teacher would have had a fit if he had survived to today. In 1975 he thought the English language had been irreversibly damaged.

Answer 4

If it stopped adding new words a hundred years ago (when English was allready a rich language), you would have had to describe a computer, television, telephone and keyboard everytime you referred to it. It would be ludicrous to contend that the world has stopped changing, and that this practice should therefore cease.

Answer 5

I don't like that either.

It's like when people learn Spanish in school they tend to speak more proper.

So when they talk to someone who was raised with the language it sounds very strange to them.

What I'm trying to say is you can say it which ever way you want but if you want to learn a language to communicate with people it's better to learn it by speaking to others than by books.

There are like a million words for one meaning. English is a confusing language. haha

Answer 6

every word was invented at one point in time so why is there a need for new words because there is always a creative twist to put on every thing

Answer 7

Most of the words are not new, just new to you. Like impecunious means poor,diatribe means being shouted at etc.

Answer 8

because there are katrabillinillions of contexts in the world

Answer 9

what is your beef with englishes. you needs to learn it better it must be. you're answer is here to pick number 1 for.

Answer 10

to extend our vocabulary and keep us one step ahead of everyone else