March 9, 2008

8/24/2006

So, I decided to Google a word the other day that I was a part of bringing into existence. I type in the word “dramastic” (as I type this, OpenOffice considers the word to be misspelled) and hit the search button. Much to my chagrin, I see several matches for this word. None of which, not surprisingly, didn’t mention my name (or James, the co-creator) anywhere. I see someone claiming a friend recently using it in a paper, slang definitions for the word, and even a claim of coining the word (as I am now). But there is no mention of 1999, Writing class, James, or myself.

Definition

dra-mas-tic (druh mas tik) A drastic act being performed in a dramatic manner. Example: “Did you see the man rescue the dog in the middle of the gang standoff by cutting off his arm and throwing it for the dog to chase? That’s what I call dramastic!”

Origin

The true origin of the word, as I see it, came from around 1999 in Writing class. I can’t remember the exact conversation, or how it began, but talking with a friend (James) we somehow came up with “dramastic” as a description for something drastic happening dramatically. I am sure this word appeared in at least one of our writings. Tracking down such document may become troublesome, however. I, for one, did not keep every paper, brainstorm, or set of notes from my Writing I (or was it Writing II) class.

History

I knew from the time the word was mentioned, it would someday become a part of mainstream. Fortunately, that day has yet to come. I also always knew I should create a site and get this word out there. Why I didn’t, I don’t know. Probably because I’m really lazy. I have no doubt that, somewhere, the word appears from around 1999 in my handwriting. Hopefully someday I will come across such paper.

Skeptics

I know there are bound to be skeptics. Some will say, “pshaw! I came up with that word in 2000 and you’re just trying to steal it” and etc. But why would I choose a word such as “dramastic”, which is not recognized in any dictionary as being a word, as a word I helped coin? Why not claim to come up with a word that is widely recognized such as blog? Really, what reason would I have to attempt to steal a word that I did not really think I had a hand in creating? It’s not much of an argument, but then again, I’m not a person to argue. At any rate, I *know* that this word was a collaboration in 1999. I realize I have no other proof at this point. But, to convince me otherwise, I would need to see proof that this word was in use prior to 99.

Today

Apparently, from doing a little search, someone has trademarked the word in 2005. I’m not sure in what sense the word was trademarked. Is it a service? Maybe a product? I don’t know. I do know that, as I mentioned above, I had a hand in creating the word in 1999 and will not be convinced otherwise without proof. All I can say, for now, is that I was there and I know what I know.

Other words
(full definitions and examples to follow later)
(and remember, you saw them HERE first)

Updated 12-7-2006
Dramastication dra-mas-tic-a-tion (druh mas tik a shun) – The act of chewing dramastically.
Dramasticate dra-mas-ti-cate (druh mas ti kate) – To make dramastic.
Dramasticated dra-mas-ti-cat-ed (druh mas ti kat ed) – Made dramastic.
Dramasticful
Dramasticing
Dramasticination
Dramastically
Dramasticlicious
Dramastination
Dramastilization
Dramastilliation

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