March 10, 2009, 21:05
KallehMonetize
I was in a meeting today about creating some interactive modules, and the IT person said that we could "monetize them." I had no idea what was meant, and she said that means we could "charge" for them.
They're not converting the modules into money, so I don't see how this use fits the definition. Is that a new use of that word? I only see the word to mean to convert into money or to legalize as money.
Thoughts?
March 11, 2009, 02:46
Richard EnglishI have only ever heard the word used in the sense you suggest - and its reverse - demonetise. All of our old-pre-decimal coinage has been demonetised and is no longer legal tender.
I suspect this person was simply trying to be clever by using a smart-arse expression instead of the perfectly sound expression "charge for them".
March 11, 2009, 23:30
neveuquote:
They're not converting the modules into money, so I don't see how this use fits the definition.
It's a metaphor.
March 12, 2009, 06:52
<Asa Lovejoy>Isn't monetize the same as buxom? If you give 'em bucks, they're bucks-some. I get Dolly Parton would agree.
March 12, 2009, 18:46
KallehNeveu, were this word used by someone with more linguistic acumen, yes, I might think it was a metaphor. This individual clearly used it to mean to "charge" for the modules. I just wondered if the definition is more broad than I had thought.
March 13, 2009, 03:26
arnieProbably the person you were speaking to had heard the word used by others (probably his/her bosses) and thought it was an impressive word to sprinkle into the conversation, without realising how strained the metaphor is, or even that it is a metaphor.
March 13, 2009, 11:00
neveuIt's just a fancy-pants way of saying "Hey, we could convert these into money".
March 14, 2009, 21:50
KallehYes, I think you are right. My husband says it's a word used in economics.