I was going through papers, magazines and catalogues in preparation for recycling day, and came across a catalogue that I didn’t remember having seen before. As I leafed through it, I noticed that one of the pages advertised “enchanting artifacts” with some great blue and white vases. 
I think of artifacts as having some history to them. Most of the definitions have something to do with history or archaeology, so the question is, can something that is brand new be an artifact? Or is this just a marketing play for and by those who don’t know any better?
And it’s my humble opinion that anything that’s “collectible” as in the top image’s copy, is not an artifact!
Another aspect of the definition of artifact is that it’s always man-made, so the agate and quartz referenced above wouldn’t qualify. I write all day long for my job, and then I write again at night. I like to think that I’ve got a pretty extensive vocabulary and that I know how to use words correctly, so it’s a bit grating to see the liberty that people take with words, assigning them meanings that they don’t have.
Thoughts?
I can remember as a chaperone at an environmental educational camp the group leader said we would be looking for artifacts that evening. Using flashlights that evening the children would see the sparkling diamond like reflections in the field. I was so puzzled and mad when what we were looking at was the flashlight catching the eyes of Wolf spiders! How on earth could this Teacher call spider eyes artifacts. I will never forget that and questioned him on his choice of words. Now arrow heads or points are made from stone but shaped and knapped by hunters/bowsman, agate could be a material used to make an artifact, In a museum display case shards of pottery are considered artifacts. On the subject of words, meanings fall out of use and new meanings are acquired. Bread, threads, my old lady, weed wheels, perhaps slang and code taking will always exist and the King's English.. there needs to be those that breathe life into it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that this is as much breathing new life into a word, but mis-representing what they're selling.
DeleteI totally agree. This is just one of those attempts to bolster up the price of modern mass produced knick-knacks by giving it an uppity moniker. Devalues the real thing in my opinion. Well pointed out Meg.
ReplyDeleteEverything's vintage, heritage, artifact, curated, etc. It does devalue what's the real thing!
DeleteI have never considered artifacts anything but historic but we are at a very self aware age and now so many items are consciously "limited and exclusive" and yet I am sure those very same items will never make the cut in the antique roadshow in a hundred years time...
ReplyDeleteOr Roadshow in 10 years!
DeleteYou are so correct Meg! Perhaps along with those liberties taken with words and their meanings, the objects themselves are given a translation and respect they have not earned.... any strategy for a quick dollar!
ReplyDeleteI agree about earning the moniker!
DeleteIt's just the new English! Though, the idea of romanticizing an object to increase its value is an old strategy. I make sure I ask additional questions when seeing this kind of advertising! "Buyer beware!" Angela Muller
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Angela!
DeleteOne other usage for artifact that I'm comfortable with. In the software industry, we speak of code or processes that remain as "artifacts" of past decisions:).
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one, too! But it also keeps with the original meanings of the word.
DeleteAgree with you Meg....a newer piece to me would be an artful accessory!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Perfect description.
DeleteI agree, Meg. Another word I'm getting tired of seeing used incorrectly - curator. It now seems that every Tom,Dick,& Harry is a "curator"! Also, the split second someone arranges a mantle display or a table setting - suddenly they are "stylist". Someone puts weeds in a mason jar on a old wood table and now we have a "curated" lifestyle! I find it irritating to say the least!
ReplyDeleteHeck, my life is so un-curated as to be laughable!
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