War of words - the effect of language on Bitcoin

[A0LA]

For me there's a clear effect of the languge on Bitcoin. My favourite one is crypto-currency, as virtual currency sounds like it is just a number on a screen. Digital is less cool I think too, because crypto sounds like cryptographic (this is why it has been named that way, so kinda logical !), and for people knowing what it is, you immeidtaly understand that this is a great code behind, and if those people are gained to Bitcoin, they'll spread a positive message. How a simple word can change everything !

[norotartagen]

As you know, there are only countably many words in the english language - we don't even have enough words to name each real number in mathematics - so there is bound to be some overlap.  Any use of language is inherently political, pushing and pulling on the meanings of words.  Existing words come with strings attached, while new words have to be coined.  However, talking about language politics is irrelevant (except in order to dismiss it).  No matter what words somebody else chooses to use, you can always choose words that properly convey your meaning to them.

[Yanisumin]

One of the sharpest tool are words and languages. It can create, diversity, misunderstandings and even barrier of two nationality. We must be careful in our choice of words that's why lawyers are so good in that. We can make something bad or good by making up stories. What I mean is that the war of words does not always circulating on how we name Bitcoin, crypto currency or virtual money but how we express it to others by means of words. Many are complaining why is it so hard to explain it to others, then choose your words carefully. Language is one of the ways that make us connected. The understanding about Bitcoin will be distorted if we don't know how to speak about it to others.

[xuan87]

Language is a powerful thing, missing one letter could be fatal and people kind of interpreted things using the name, so language is very important to explained things to someone, for me the word of bitcoin and alt coin is a bit unsuitable, it makes like bitcoin is more superior than other coin, even though bitcoin is the pioneer and the most superior, I prefer to word of crypto currencies to describe all of the coin

[DomainMagnate]

I have heard several terms used to describe Bitcoin and altcoins.  Digital currency, cryptocurrency, and my least favorite virtual currency.  Do you feel the connotations associated with each of these terms paint Bitcoin in a particular light?

For example I feel mainstream media tend to use the term virtual currency in an attempt to associate cryptocurrency with a sense of "it's not a real thing". 

Whether intentional or not I think each of these terms will invoke a different response from a crypto layman depending on which term is used.  Or does it not really matter in your opinion?  Thoughts?

Maybe by virtual money they mean intangible. Unlike fiat currency which we can touch or hold, virtual money is stay online. It doesn't necessarily mean'fake' money.

[szpalata]

That's interesting. I would think it does matter and your example is apt. The strange part is that most people consider paper money to be "real".

Yeah and that's because it can be felt in the palm unlike Bitcoin which is entirely virtual.