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Web “Credentials”



I got a new bank here in town recently, and as part of my online account sign-up, the company sent me my “Credentials” for logging into their system. I was working with a friend of mine on a freelance web project yesterday, and we had the misfortune of having to deal with MicroSoft’s OfficeLive.com website, which sent us through various ridiculous procedures and required us to fill out some kind of elaborate .NET/Passport something or other bullshit - but the point was, that word “credentials” showed up again. Two disconnected hits in about a week’s time equals something is up. Would be interesting to do epidemiological studies on the spread of various keywords like that. I’m sure people do that kind of thing. And I’m also quite certain that people seed these types of words and phrases into culture for specific ends. The rise of the word “credentials” could be a fluke, and it could be a totally natural happening, but I have strong doubts that it’s happening on its own. Where, do you think, could a linguistic trend like this take us?







2 Reader Responses

  1. Julia Says:
    November 14th, 2007 at 4:03 pm

    Consultants make up these words and pass them along the food chain. You want to get promoted so you go to seminars and learn the magic words. If you don’t know the magic words you look like a loser when you and your coworkers get together and because perception is reality for most people you end up being a loser and not getting the promotion. Now you’re a cautionary tale for your coworkers and they try even harder to learn the magic words so they don’t share your fate.

  2. Tim Boucher Says:
    November 14th, 2007 at 4:05 pm

    HAHA. Perfectly said. Why do you think I have been making up so many imaginary buzzwords? Modern culture breaks down to who can make up more exciting and sticky language to describe the same old shit!



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