DTP


 
Lively discussions on the graphic arts and publishing — in print or on the web


Go Back   Desktop Publishing Forum > General Discussions > On Language & Literature

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
Old 03-08-2009, 07:48 AM   #1
ktinkel
Founding Sysop
 
ktinkel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: In Connecticut, on the Housatonic River near its mouth at Long Island Sound.
Posts: 11,187
Default meta

Why is this term so popular?

I know it comes from the Greek, meaning “with, across, or after.” In English it has generally combined with other words as a modifier that generally conveys its original Greek meaning:
  • It means change, as in (metamorphosis).
  • Or relative physical position (metatarsal).
  • Or a higher or secondary order of something (metaphysics).
  • In computer parlance it turns up in metafile, a format that can be used by different software or platforms.
  • And it refers to keyboard keys that perform a function with simultaneous use of a second key (metakey).
  • And it is used to describe a cancer that has moved from its source to other organs (metastasize).

Busy little prefix, but I get all that.

But “meta” all by itself? As in the sidebar of a WordPress theme? As in the name of a large type family by Erik Spiekermann? As in the title of a book review in today’s New York Times?

It is kind of ambiguous to stand on its own, n’est-ce pas?

   
__________________
[SIZE=2][COLOR=LemonChiffon]::[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Last edited by ktinkel; 03-08-2009 at 11:13 AM. Reason: fixed my error
ktinkel is offline   Reply With Quote
 

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
meta tags and leading one on...'-}} terrie Web Site Building & Maintenance 4 08-09-2006 02:02 PM
Useful info on meta tags ktinkel Web Site Building & Maintenance 3 04-22-2005 12:37 PM


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:33 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Contents copyright 2004–2019 Desktop Publishing Forum and its members.