[Gllug] [OT] Appending 2.0 to nouns

[Dylan]

On Wednesday 09 July 2008, John Levin wrote:
> Off topic, but I know there are linguists on this list.

I'll put my head over the parapet for that!

>
> Is there a term for appending 2.0 to a noun?

Technically speaking, "2.0" is becoming/has become a suffix meaning what we 
understand it to mean (improved, next generation, ...) The fact that it is 
usually separated from the word it is affixed to is most likely due to its 
origin (in version numbering, of course) and the fact that it's a number 
rather than a word 'fragment'.

Although it has an adjectival effect, it cannot be an adjective since they 
must preceed the noun in English. (The very few counter-examples - court 
martial - are formalised phrases, usually enshrined in law.)

It's exactly the same process which has given us "-gate" and all the others 
everyone complains about as debasing the language. Actually, it is this sort 
of development which keeps the language alive and vibrant, innit.

> I feel this regrettable and widespread practice needs to be named.

Language 2.0?

Dylan

>
> TIA
>
> John
>
> --
> John Levin
> http://www.technolalia.org/blog/



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