Recently, I became aware of a modern phenomenon that effects language itself. AI is influencing the English language by altering the frequency of certain words. This shift is primarily driven by the preferences of Large Language Models (LLMs), which tend to favor specific terms over others. As a result, some words are becoming less frequently used, while others experience a significant increase in usage.
However, as I spent time considering whether or not this is a problem, it occurred to me that a shift was already taking place before AI. Indeed, a shift in word usage is part of language itself. If you want proof, go pick up a 19th century novel. Or better yet, try to read a 17th century novel. You will likely find yourself unfamiliar with words that appear to have been familiar at the time of first publishing.
Assuming you care and are bothered by all of this, what can we do? Perhaps you can request that your AI use an older English form of the language when it answers your queries. I suspect if it cannot do that now, it will develop the talent in short order. It would probably be fun to have ChatGPT or Claude answer your questions in the language style of Charles Dickens or Mark Twain. If you do not want to rely on machines, though, there is another way. You can learn words, store them in your brain, and then use them around other people such that said other people – whether they want to participate with you or not – find that your word has also become stored in their own brains.
Let’s learn some old, dusty words together.
(via dictionary.com)
apricity
[uh–pri-si-tee]/ əˈprɪ sɪ ti /
noun
- Obsolete. the warmth or light from the sun.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The species Pseudolepechinella apricity reflects a sense of warmth and friendship that developed during the workshop.
Apricity comes from Latin apricus, meaning sunny or warmed by the sun.
Here are some other examples of the word’s use. It is typically applied when referring to the warmth of the sun during winter.
On a rare occasion the sun will shine through a cloud with apricity during this winter season.
On a chilly winter afternoon, I basked in the apricity of the sun, feeling its warmth on my face despite the cold air.
