Logs, Blogs, and Vlogs
Even captains deserve diaries...
Saturdays are perfect days for journaling surprises. Surprise—we’re talking about the curious origin of the word log today!
Most language lovers are familiar with the word root LOG- meaning speech, words, or reason or at least words derived from the root like eulogize or analogous.
Star Trek fans are well acquainted with Kirk, Picard, and other commanding officers recording their daily observations in a captain’s log. Interestingly, this type of log is related thematically but not etymologically to the main LOG- root. Instead, log is a term meaning record of observations, coined back when a ship's speed was measured with a “chip log” made of wood. The classic ship’s log has come a long way in modern times, as tree trunks have given way to digital technology.
backlog (noun) - an accumulation of tasks, cases, or materials that need to be processed or completed
blog (noun) - a type of regularly updated website or online journal that features relevant syndicated content in the form of posts, originally known as a web log; also a post on a blog
to blog is to maintain or contribute to a blog
a blogger is a content creator who maintains or contributes to a blog
blogosphere is an aggregate term for all the weblogs on the internet
log (verb) - to dutifully record details or make notes, usually in a specific logbook
to log on or log in means to follow the procedures to begin using a computer, database, or system
logbook (noun) - the physical or digital repository in which details and events relating to a vessel, machine, or other thing are recorded (also log)
vlog (noun) - a type of regularly updated website or online journal focusing on video content (also video log or video blog)
to vlog is to maintain or contribute to a video blog
a vlogger is a content creator who creates and edits videos for a video blog
“Now, for my younger viewers out there, a book is something we used to have before the internet. It’s sort of a blog for people with attention spans.” —Stephen Colbert