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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?
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. 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 see a further distinction between addicting and addictive. The word addictive has (at least) two distinct meanings. One meaning is "causing addiction"; another meaning is from the opposite perspective "relating to an addict" or "characterized by addiction." The adjective use of addicting is synonymous only with the first use of addictive, "causing addiction."
So, for example, Nutella can be addictive or addicting, both in the sense of causing addiction. But when one speaks of an "addictive personality" or "addictive behavior" it is in the sense that the personality is associated with addicts, and not that the behavior is oddly compelling to others.
Perhaps because of its second meanings, addictive has a slightly more literal connotation to my ear than addicting. So, in the context of gaming, I can see how "addicting" might be used to indicate something is causal of casual compulsion, as opposed to some truly addictive games, such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and lotto, which can be associated with problem gambling.
I tried really hard to put "causal" and casual side-by-side, but I failed. Drat.
So Glenn, what it sounds like you're saying is that, to you, addicting seems to be used as a description for seemingly addictive casual temporary fixations. Whereas addictive is more often used for more real conditions like physical or chemical needs. Is that what you are saying?
It does seem to be used more in that context. I still think the word addictive sounds better in both cases but I can make allowance for its use in this way. But if someone tells me that cocaine is addicting I might ask, "addicting to what?"
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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