I was recently reading an article* about how technology has been changing our lives and how older products (and ways of doing things) are being replaced by newer products (and ways of doing things).\u00a0 This brought up some very interesting English vocabulary that I would like to share in this blog.\u00a0 Below I will introduce to you eight “old” vocabulary words.\u00a0 First I will define these items or concepts. Then I will introduce the modern version of these vocabulary words. Lastly I will tell you about the change over from the old to the new word.\u00a0 Just because I am calling this “old vocabulary” doesn’t mean that this vocabulary is no longer useful.\u00a0 These old vocabulary terms are still good to know although they are words that are used less often that their newer counterparts.\u00a0 Also, the transition from these old vocabulary words to the newer ones certainly says a great deal about the culture of modern day America, which has become very technologically advanced and dependent.\u00a0 You will see that most of the old vocabulary words have been replaced by new electronic items.\u00a0 Below, the “old” vocabulary words are in bold and the “new” vocabulary words are in italicize.\u00a0 Here we go\u2026<\/p>\n
answering machine<\/strong> – a tape recorder or digital recorder in the home that answers telephone calls with a recorded message and leaves room for the caller to record a message encyclopedia<\/strong> – a book or set of books that give information on many different subjects; these books are usually arranged alphabetically film<\/strong> – a thin flexible plastic strip of material used in cameras to capture pictures incandescent light bulb<\/strong> – a glass light bulb with a filament** inside that heats up to produce light road maps<\/strong> – folding, paper maps designed for motorists*** to use that show the roads of a certain area rolodex<\/strong> – a desktop card index that is used to record and store names, addresses, and telephone numbers snail mail<\/strong> – this is a slang word for the postal system, it refers to sending mail in envelops with stamps subway token<\/strong> – a small metal token, like a coin, that is used to enter to a subway system *article = a short piece of writing about a single topic I was recently reading an article* about how technology has been changing our lives and how older products (and ways of doing things) are being replaced by newer products (and ways of doing things).\u00a0 This brought up some very interesting English vocabulary that I would like to share in this blog.\u00a0 Below I will introduce…<\/p>\n
\nvoice mail<\/em> – a computerized system for answering the telephone (cell phone) calls in which messages can be recorded, stored, and replayed
\nMany Americans no longer have home phones and simply use cell phones to make all of their phone calls.\u00a0 This is why answering machines are no longer common.<\/p>\n
\nWikipedia<\/em> – a free, web-based, electronic encyclopedia that gives information on many subjects
\nIn the past many American families owned a set of encyclopedias in their home.\u00a0 These books were sold in stores, on TV, and by door-to-door sales.\u00a0 Now Wikipedia offers a free online version of this type of informational book.<\/p>\n
\ndigital memory card<\/em> – a small flat flash drive used to store digital cameras images
\nToday in the United States it is often hard to find stores that sells film for cameras, most cameras are digital and therefore use memory cards.<\/p>\n
\nCFL<\/em> = Compact Fluorescent Light bulb<\/em> – a fluorescent light bulb that uses only a little energy to produce a bright light
\nThe United States government is trying to phase out (to slow or stop) the production of incandescent light bulbs in America.\u00a0 CFL are now easy and cheap to find in most stores and incandescent light bulbs are difficult to find.<\/p>\n
\nGPS<\/em> = Global Positioning System<\/em> – a satellite navigational system that gives directions on a small computer screen or by voice command
\nGPS is so common today it is found in cell phones, installed in new cars, and potable devices that can be put into any automobile.\u00a0 Many people no longer use road maps when they are driving to new places.<\/p>\n
\nelectronic address book<\/em> – an electronic system found on a phone or computer that is used for storing and sorting names, addresses, and telephone numbers
\nRolodexes used to be seen on every desk in almost every office in the United States.\u00a0 Now people store contact information for friends, business partners, and others electronically.<\/p>\n
\ne-mail<\/em> = Electronic Mail<\/em> – electronic messages sent from computers and phones in real time****
\nAlthough snail mail is not gone or likely to disappear all together it is used much less today than it was 10, 20, or 50 years ago.\u00a0 In fact the United States Postal Service is having trouble financially because so few people use snail mail.<\/p>\n
\nsubway pass<\/em> (also: metro pass, metro card, subway card<\/em>) – a paper or plastic card that is inserted or swiped in a machine in order to enter a subway system
\nMost subway systems in the United States first operated using tokens for payment; today they almost all have one-time or multiple use cards that are bought from machines prior to entering the subway system.<\/p>\n
\n**filament = a threadlike wire or thread with a high melting point that is part of an electric bulb
\n***motorist = the driver of a car, truck, or van
\n**** real time = the actual time in which an event occurs, the time in which data is input and processed within milliseconds<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"