I think the perceived difference between diary and journal is really interesting.
Growing up, the standard thinking followed that ‘diary’ was an inherently more feminine word, and so ‘diaries’ were for femme individuals. While ‘journal’ had a more clear-cut, straightforward air about it, and so lent itself to the more male demographic.
What I find funny is that these two words, definitionally, are practically the same.
Diary: “a book in which one keeps a daily record of events and experiences.”
Journal: “a daily record of news and events of a personal nature; a diary.”
Where did the shift in thinking or perception occur? At what point in time did ‘diary‘ become a girlish term for young boys to scoff at? I don’t have an answer, it’s just interesting.
Also interesting is the fact that ‘diary,’ which in its noun form has practically the exact same meaning as ‘journal,’ doesn’t have a verb definition as well.
You don’t “diary at night,” you “keep a diary” or “write in your diary.” Why can’t I just “diary?”
Anyway, here are some screenshots of today’s work.
Alright, goodnight.
In the UK, “diary” means your schedule. E.g. they’d say “let’s get something in the diary” instead of “let’s put something on the calendar.” It still strikes me when I hear big, burly men making announcements or talking about events coming up using the word “diary” and I’d like that to not be. Here’s to refreshing its connotations.
-LS