Lately, I’ve noticed an explosive proliferation of articles about “hacks”: cleaning hacks, cooking hacks, travel hacks, life hacks—even bathroom hacks. Bathroom hacks? I understand how the word applies to video games and computers, meaning an expert’s cheat, security circumvention, secret shortcut, or clever tip—but it seems strange to me when applied to life and bathrooms.
In the good old days—before Trump was elected—we got along just fine without this ugly word. I guess if Heloise were starting her helpful household column today, it’d be “Hacks from Heloise.”
And I’m especially confused about applying this term to people. How can a person be a shortcut? Or a tip? Can you explain it to me? Why do people who read my writing keep calling me a hack?
Bill Spencer a hack? — NO WAY!! 😀
Your check is in the mail, Kathy.
It’s because you hack straight to the point, Bill and please don’t ever change.
Writers are explorers hacking through a jungle of words.
From a site called the Jargon File: Hacking might be characterized as ‘an appropriate application of ingenuity.’ Own your greatness, Bill!
Can I just rent it? (I don’t think I can afford the down payment.)
Never, ever would I use the words “hack” and “Bill Spencer” in the same sentence unless you become an Uber driver.
Based on these limitations, you could never say, “Bill Spencer is not a hack.”
I only hear it applied to my golfing ability. 🙂
Join the club.
Ha,ha. Not sure anyone would call you a hack. I’m hoping the word goes away or at least used much less. I blank out when I hear it.
As for the overuse, let’s hack away at it.