Words change

There is a lot of talk about work-life balance. Burnout, a verb, is real. And, when used today, everyone knows what it means. Even without context.

Burnout was real in the 1970s too. But it meant something different. Back then, it was a noun and referred to a person who used drugs heavily. Everyone knew what it meant. Even without context.

There are lots of words like this. And there will be many more.

Words change. Their meanings get coopted. Sometimes, the definition changes. As writers, it’s up to us to use words the reader understands. Even without context.