Is the word "prom" a proper noun?

[Deeko]

To the best of my knowledge, NO. So please explain, why do people use it as such? It bugs the crap out of me to hear people say things like "I'm going to prom"....its THE prom lol

 

[technogeeky]

<< To the best of my knowledge, NO. So please explain, why do people use it as such? It bugs the crap out of me to hear people say things like "I'm going to prom"....its THE prom lol >>



We don't always require articles. It's the evolution of language.

Ain't it neat?

 

[mpitts]

Maybe you should stop hanging out with high school kids..

 

[Deeko]

No lol its annoying

 

[Deeko]

<< Maybe you should stop hanging out with high school kids.. >>


Yea...I guess your right...Its probably not healthy to hang out with kids my own age

 

[ViperMagic]

Annoys me too, but this is worse....

Freshmen class meeting, the Vice Prez (who beat me in teh election) gets up and says that if we don't turn in out debt sheets, we cant go to [the] prom. I had to restrain myslef from getting up and shoutng "HEY DIPSH!T! FRESHMEN ARNT EVEN ALLOWED TO GO TO THE PROM!"

 

[A5]

<< Maybe you should stop hanging out with high school kids.. >>


You know that he is in HS, right?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Actually, I think it is a proper noun. For example, my old HS had a winter dance called Winter Gala. Since "Winter Gala" was the name of a specific dance, it is a proper noun. Since Prom is analogous to Winter Gala in being the name for a specific dance, it is onlt logical that "Prom" is also a proper noun.

ZV

 

[Tiger]

It's latin for "let's all get drunk and nekkid".

 

[chiwawa626]

I see deeko is trying to prefect his boyband english

 

[Deeko]

<< Actually, I think it is a proper noun. For example, my old HS had a winter dance called Winter Gala. Since "Winter Gala" was the name of a specific dance, it is a proper noun. Since Prom is analogous to Winter Gala in being the name for a specific dance, it is onlt logical that "Prom" is also a proper noun. >>


I looked it up in the AOL dictionary, its definition is a formal dance given by a high school...so I don't think it is



<< I see deeko is trying to prefect his boyband english >>


lol yea...thats its....lol it was your thread that sparked this one, I couldn't finish reading it cuz I was so flustered by all the people using it as a proper noun

 

[TheVrolok]

Simple.. misuse of the language. It's a shame high school students, who are in the midst of their education, can't even speak proper english. Yes, I know this for fact, I am a Junior myself and it's pitiful. Prom is a shortened form of promenade, or by the relevant defintion, a formal dance or ball. I don't see how it could ever be used in such a manner, "I'm going to prom."

<edit>Typo</edit>

 

[DigDug]

The AOL dictionary? Oh thats right, the formal authority of the english language.

Only last year, the perennial resistance to include the word "Oops" was overcome as Britney Spears issued her two thumbs up to such an action.

 

[technogeeky]

<< Simple.. misuse of the language. It's a shame high school students, who are in the midst of their education, can't even speak proper english. Yes, I know this for fact, I am a Junior myself and it's pitiful. Prom is a shortened form of promenade, or by the relevant defintion, a formal dance or ball. I don't see how it could ever be used in such a manner, "I'm going to prom."

<edit>Typo</edit> >>





It's also the EVOLUTION of language.

We shorten language, as is obvious by your example (prom from promenade), and we also remove articles out of habit (or whatever else).


Don't worry about it. There are many more problems with people's speaking and writing abilities which should be addressed first. Like the use of the verb TO BE.

 

[TheVrolok]

<< It's also the EVOLUTION of language. >>

If you consider improper use of words and grammar to be evolution of the language then so be it. I assume then that since so many young people consider "alot" to be a word and an expression then it's fine because it's merely an evolution of the language? I must say I consider such things a devolution if anything. Now, if you take the idea that passive voice is now becoming more acceptable and prominent, then ok, I'll consider that evolution, but not improper use of wording.

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<Prom is a shortened form of promenade, or by the relevant defintion, a formal dance or ball.>>

And as I understood it, "promenade" is a shortening of "Spring Promenade", which I still believe is a reference to a specific dance. After all, there is usually more than one formal dance each year for a HS, therefore I still think that one can refer to Prom without an article. For example, "Pittsburgh" is really just a shortening of "City of Pittsburgh". One would say "I'm going to the City of Pittsburgh.", but one would not say "I'm going to the Pittsburgh." I have no idea if I'm right or not, but my reasoning makes sense to me at least.

ZV

 

[TheVrolok]

<< And as I understood it, "promenade" is a shortening of "Spring Promenade", which I still believe is a reference to a specific dance. After all, there is usually more than one formal dance each year for a HS, therefore I still think that one can refer to Prom without an article. For example, "Pittsburgh" is really just a shortening of "City of Pittsburgh". One would say "I'm going to the City of Pittsburgh.", but one would not say "I'm going to the Pittsburgh." I have no idea if I'm right or not, but my reasoning makes sense to me at least. >>

I've never seen promenade as a shortened for of Spring Promenade.. and that's merely and adjective, spring, describing the event, the promenade... and then used as a proper noun. Promenade itself is a simple noun meaning a formal dance or ball, or as a verb.. well you can look it up. Pittsburgh isn't a shortened form of "City of Pittsburgh," the latter is just more descriptive. That's like saying my real name is Mr. TheVrolok, TheVrolok is just a shortened form.

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<I've never seen promenade as a shortened for of Spring Promenade.. >>

In the general sense, you are correct, but what is generally referred to as "Prom" in most HS's today was at one time the spring promenade. In common useage then, "prom" seems to me to be synonymous (sp?) with "spring promenade". The more I look at your argument though, the more I'm convinced that you are right. Next target: "irregardless". Ugh.

ZV

 

[mpitts]

<<

<< Maybe you should stop hanging out with high school kids.. >>


You know that he is in HS, right? >>



Yeah I did, but thanks..

 

[Jzero]

PET PEEVE!!!!
I HATE THIS! IT'S THE PROM!
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
The worst was one of those teen movies did it the whole time!
"Are you going to prom?"
"Prom is soon."
"Want to go to prom with me?"
"I'm not going to prom."
"With whom will you be attending prom?"

argh

 

[Ameesh]

prom = promanade

 

[Jzero]

<< Next target: "irregardless". Ugh. >>


"It means 'without lack of regard."

hahaha

 

[Zenmervolt]

<<

<< Next target: "irregardless". Ugh. >>


"It means 'without lack of regard."

hahaha >>

And let us not forget the proliferation of "cactuses" and "octopusses" as opposed to the proper "cacti" and "octopi". Or the "cari-bean" pronounciation as opposed to the proper "carib-bean". Finally, the long-standing "who" vs "whom" battle.

ZV

 

[TheVrolok]

<<

<<

<< Next target: "irregardless". Ugh. >>


"It means 'without lack of regard."

hahaha >>

And let us not forget the proliferation of "cactuses" and "octopusses" as opposed to the proper "cacti" and "octopi". Or the "cari-bean" pronounciation as opposed to the proper "carib-bean". Finally, the long-standing "who" vs "whom" battle.

ZV >>



Heh.. irregardless.. It's sad that we had to make up a new word that merely means "regardless." (even though it's a nonstandard word, non-formal and used only in casual speech/writing)
It is a shame that we're butchering the English language, making up new words and word forms because we're lazy, dropping proper grammer(your who vs whom) for the same reasons. Oh well, I guess this type of thing always took place, it's just the natural way of things.

 

[Jzero]

<< It's sad that we had to make up a new word that merely means "regardless." >>


That's why it's so bad. Irregardless isn't like inflammable. It's a double negative. If I say "regardless" it's "without regard." If I say "irregardless" it's "Without without regard." or "With regard" then.