Home » Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

Discussion Forum (Archived)

Please consider registering
Guest
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_TopicIcon
An unfamiliar usage of the word "creative"
Guest
1
2011/02/24 - 7:21pm

I've been working as a clerk at a hotel for the past few months. We recently received some new display materials from the main HQ. In the instructions for putting out the materials and the new promotion, it referred to the new look or new design of the displays as "our new creative." The first time I saw it, I thought it was a typo, but it referred to the design in this way a couple more times.

I've never heard of "creative" being used in this way, as a noun. I thought that it was perhaps an industry term, and my ignorance was due to my not having worked in the industry very long. The dictionary was no help; it listed "creative" as an adjective, just like I've always heard it.

Could anyone shed some light on this usage of the word? Thanks!

Guest
2
2011/02/25 - 10:18am

It appears to have started as advertising jargon. The OED gives an example dating to 1987:

Bottomline Nov. 35/1 Good creative for bank advertising is similar to any other creative.

Merriam-Webster online dates it to 1962, but doesn't provide a source.

Forum Timezone: UTC -7
Show Stats
Administrators:
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Moderators:
Grant Barrett
Top Posters:
Newest Members:
A Conversation with Dr Astein Osei
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 1
Topics: 3647
Posts: 18912

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 618
Members: 1268
Moderators: 1
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 1147
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 72
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Recent posts