It’s the End of the Word As We Know It

by Marina Martin

I don’t care if Merriam-Webster says it is, this is NOT A WORD.

Orientate

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Deepak May 29, 2008 at 5:19 pm: I am with you. That is NOT a word
2 Zach May 29, 2008 at 6:42 pm: I think a good actionable would be to remove that from the dictionary ASAP.
3 Fyr May 29, 2008 at 7:47 pm: Agreed. Lets petition Merriam-Webster. I pledge my signature.

While we’re at it, can we have someone make a definitive statement about this abomination as well: updation.
4 Anthony Stevens June 2, 2008 at 6:36 am: GAH!

Adding -ate does not make it a new verb. Do doctors “treatate” patients?

Create, hydrate, ingratiate, sedate, m*****bate, dedicate, exfoliate – OK as verbs.
Orientate – NOT OK.

I’m about to orient my browser away from M-W.
5 rhileman July 26, 2008 at 10:17 pm: Way to take a proactive approach there.

*ducks*
6 Joe Cascio July 29, 2008 at 10:37 am: You are correct. Orient is already a verb. “I will orient the bench toward the west.” Adding “-ate” is redundant. Well, guess we told them.

Joe
7 Aaron October 12, 2009 at 9:14 am: Don’t forget my least-favorite -ate non-word, “administrate”