Re: When to use the word "curate?"

Subject: Re: When to use the word "curate?"
From: Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:26:12 -0800

On 12/19/2012 10:26 AM, Alec Chakenov wrote:

Do you think we should ever use this word in documentation?

Sometimes terms, no matter how obscure they are, have a distinct role in a specific use that requires the use of the obscure term. If the use of curate really does refer to researching and compiling scientific data it is used in an industry that requires this specific type of writing, then the use of the term is necessary. Otherwise, it is just a Latin-based term that someone is using to try to sound smart or somehow more refined than the competition.

It sounds like it has come from Latin, and therefore, will be less understandable.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=curate

I think context is necessary to know if the word will be understandable to the reader. If I saw the term in reference to a writer who is compiling and summarizes various news, then I would think the use of the term is nonsense. I would only use the term curate in documentation where the audience regularly uses the term curate.




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Follow-Ups:

References:
When to use the word "curate?": From: Cardimon, Craig
RE: When to use the word "curate?": From: Tammy Van Boening
Re: When to use the word "curate?": From: Ryan Pollack
RE: When to use the word "curate?": From: Cardimon, Craig
Re: When to use the word "curate?": From: Mike McCallister
RE: When to use the word "curate?": From: Cardimon, Craig
Re: When to use the word "curate?": From: Alec Chakenov

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