It’s an interesting question when you get to the etymology! What is the definition of blogging? Blogging has meaning in computer speak but is nonsense outside the box. What does blogging mean?

What is the meaning of blog to me? While I do share my story in some of my blogs, I also blog for purpose. In 1998 when I started my first “blog”, it was called an “online journal”.

The meaning behind blogging for me is to answer questions and to make a name for myself. Sometimes, all you need to do to BE at the party, is just to show up to the party. You’re either there, or you’re not, and if you’re not, then no one is searching for your blog, so you might as well write a diary.

Check out 750 words.com if that sounds like your stease. (style + ease)

The mind-blowing definition of blogging following its etymology is tantalizing, but the socially acceptable meaning is pretty bland.

What is the Definition of Blogging?

Blogging is regularly occurring original content published by creators. Okay, I just made that up.

Blogging is often self-published work.

It can but doesn’t have to be personal.

Many blogs are about a particular topic or series of topics. It is a series of posts, not a collected works released in a bound format.

Blogging is an advent of the internet.

Is that a real sentence? In my head, that’s a real sentence. But then I want to say invent. But I think Advent is reight. It came about because of the internet. The internet didn’t make it up. Oh, but what would a blog be without the internet? Oh… what would the internet be without blogs?

Wow. Questions about the definition of blogging. To really get to the root of the definition of blogging, we have to break down this cute 4 letter word.

Etymology of Blogging

In order to get to the definition of blogging, let’s hit the etymology. First, it’s a contraction.

Of “web” and log”.

Let’s use etymology to find the definition of blogging!

Etymology of Log

“records of observations, readings, etc”
originally
“recor of a ship’s progress”
shortening of log-book from the 1670s.

What is a log book?

A daily record of the ships speed, progress, gets.

Why is it called a log book?

Because sailors would use the weighted chip of a tree log on the end of a reeled “log line” about 150 – 200 fathoms long

How long is a fathom?
6 feet

The log line was marked by different numbers of knots, made with colored rags, tied at regular intervals … hence the nautical measurement of “knot”.
So the space between the knots … fathoms. (6ft)

Which is … essentially, a 6-ft-man’s wingspan. As far apart as he can grab the rope. Your wingspan is basically as tall as you are. Oh! fun fact. Bats fly with their fingers. Just webbed fingers. Okay, back to it.

The log-book is a journal of all important items happening on the ship.

The logbook contains the ship’s data from which the navigator determines his position by dead-reckoning. (estimating how far he’s traveled.)

In a General Sense, the definition of “Log” is “any record of facts entered in order” by 1913.


Let’s do web.

Definition of “web”

“woven fabric, woven work, tapestry

spider’s web is first recorded in the early 13th century.

Webbed feet have been the common name for membrane on ducks feet since the 1570s.

1990 brought about World Wide Web, web browser, and web page.

By 1998, we had weblog.

Conclusion

Okay, blogging is cooler than I thought. Both inherently and in practice. In order to get to the definition of blogging, we started with the etymology of “web” and “log”. Log has been defined as any record of facts entered in order since 1913 and the web as we know it and are on it has been with us since 1996.

Now that we know the definition of blogging, we can ponder what is the meaning of blog, why blogging is important, and ask the real question…

What are you blogging about next?

See ya!