Annoying New Word–Intexticated
Posted by languageandgrammar on January 27, 2010
New products and new technologies often need new words to describe them, but new technology can also be used as an excuse to create a new word when one is not needed. Intexticated is one such example, which, incredibly, was considered by Oxford as a potential word of the year.
Intexticated means being distracted by texting on a cell phone while driving a vehicle. Being distracted while driving is nothing new; in fact, distracted driving is the number one killer of American teenagers.
It should be referred to in terms that paint a more accurate picture, such as misdemeanor or vehicular homicide–depending on the result of the distraction.
Making a cute, little name for it does nothing to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving; if anything, it makes it seem less serious and less dangerous.
–Paul
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