I have noticed over the last few years, though it has probably been around longer, many people using the word "addicting" when I believe it should be "addictive." This is very  prevalent when I am looking at reviews for gaming apps in the Android Market.  People who love the game are constantly saying how "addicting" it is. For example, "It's the best game ever. It's so addicting I can't put it down." I think it is more correct to say, "It's so addictive I can't put it down."
I have not researched this in any way yet and I am only going on what sounds right to my ear. "Addicting" just scratches the chalkboard of my brain and sounds so wrong. It doesn't even sound like a word to me but my spell checker isn't flagging it.
Am I alone in this? Anyone want to discuss this? Â
The online online Oxford English Dictionary lists the first use of addictive as occuring in 1891. The first use of addicting is in 1931. The OED lists them both as adjectives and synonomous.
Emmett
Thanks Emmett. Â I don't have a subscription to the OED. I see that it is considered informal where I have seen it listed. I know that doesn't make it wrong but it still sounds wrong to me. I have not tried to correct anybody of course, since I don't know myself. Hope to hear from others what they think about it.
I'm with you, Morenci; I accept that "addicting" in this usage has been around since before I was born, but it still sounds wrong to my ear. Â I'm pretty sure I've heard other "-ing" words that grate on me in just the same way, but off-hand none of them occur to me just now.
I cringe just a little every time I hear someone speak of a "concerning" problem.