Why is it wrong to use chillax?





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I marked a student down for using the word chillax as I believed it to not be a word. Later on they approach me on the issue and show me that it is indeed in the dictionary.



Every fiber of my being screams that it shouldn't be used. Even this site underlines the word saying it's not correct.



According to all dictionary entries I've seen it's not even listed as slang, only informal.



What is a valid reason that chillax shouldn't be used?



Perhaps because it's informal but that doesn't seem like a valid reason as there are plenty of informal words that are quite common and I wouldn't think to mark them down for words such as phone or kids.










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  • 1




    This site does not mark chillax as incorrect, as far as I can see. My spellchecker does, but that's because spellcheckers are behind the times.
    – Matt E. Эллен
    Sep 9 '15 at 11:49






  • 3




    Robusto's answer is spot on. While you may be able to find some argument based on context, most likely the usage is fine. Use your mistake as a lesson opportunity.
    – samuelesque
    Sep 9 '15 at 12:20








  • 1




    Presumably this was not a math assignment: "Can I split x into two factors? Chillax, Dude! x is not a prime number!"
    – GEdgar
    Sep 9 '15 at 13:32






  • 1




    You're not alone...I hate the word too...and I'm unrepentant on this. I don't know why, there's just something about it that grinds my gears. I agree with Robusto...its a matter of appropriateness. What was the topic for writing?
    – michael_timofeev
    Sep 9 '15 at 15:47






  • 1




    Note that the word is incredibly "young". One online dictionary records it's first known use as 1999. As such, even in the best of circumstances it must be considered "slang" -- appropriate only in text that is attempting to reproduce vernacular speech.
    – Hot Licks
    Sep 9 '15 at 18:36

















up vote
1
down vote

favorite












I marked a student down for using the word chillax as I believed it to not be a word. Later on they approach me on the issue and show me that it is indeed in the dictionary.



Every fiber of my being screams that it shouldn't be used. Even this site underlines the word saying it's not correct.



According to all dictionary entries I've seen it's not even listed as slang, only informal.



What is a valid reason that chillax shouldn't be used?



Perhaps because it's informal but that doesn't seem like a valid reason as there are plenty of informal words that are quite common and I wouldn't think to mark them down for words such as phone or kids.










share|improve this question


















  • 1




    This site does not mark chillax as incorrect, as far as I can see. My spellchecker does, but that's because spellcheckers are behind the times.
    – Matt E. Эллен
    Sep 9 '15 at 11:49






  • 3




    Robusto's answer is spot on. While you may be able to find some argument based on context, most likely the usage is fine. Use your mistake as a lesson opportunity.
    – samuelesque
    Sep 9 '15 at 12:20








  • 1




    Presumably this was not a math assignment: "Can I split x into two factors? Chillax, Dude! x is not a prime number!"
    – GEdgar
    Sep 9 '15 at 13:32






  • 1




    You're not alone...I hate the word too...and I'm unrepentant on this. I don't know why, there's just something about it that grinds my gears. I agree with Robusto...its a matter of appropriateness. What was the topic for writing?
    – michael_timofeev
    Sep 9 '15 at 15:47






  • 1




    Note that the word is incredibly "young". One online dictionary records it's first known use as 1999. As such, even in the best of circumstances it must be considered "slang" -- appropriate only in text that is attempting to reproduce vernacular speech.
    – Hot Licks
    Sep 9 '15 at 18:36













up vote
1
down vote

favorite









up vote
1
down vote

favorite











I marked a student down for using the word chillax as I believed it to not be a word. Later on they approach me on the issue and show me that it is indeed in the dictionary.



Every fiber of my being screams that it shouldn't be used. Even this site underlines the word saying it's not correct.



According to all dictionary entries I've seen it's not even listed as slang, only informal.



What is a valid reason that chillax shouldn't be used?



Perhaps because it's informal but that doesn't seem like a valid reason as there are plenty of informal words that are quite common and I wouldn't think to mark them down for words such as phone or kids.










share|improve this question













I marked a student down for using the word chillax as I believed it to not be a word. Later on they approach me on the issue and show me that it is indeed in the dictionary.



Every fiber of my being screams that it shouldn't be used. Even this site underlines the word saying it's not correct.



According to all dictionary entries I've seen it's not even listed as slang, only informal.



What is a valid reason that chillax shouldn't be used?



Perhaps because it's informal but that doesn't seem like a valid reason as there are plenty of informal words that are quite common and I wouldn't think to mark them down for words such as phone or kids.







word-usage






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asked Sep 9 '15 at 11:39









Aequitas

3252416




3252416








  • 1




    This site does not mark chillax as incorrect, as far as I can see. My spellchecker does, but that's because spellcheckers are behind the times.
    – Matt E. Эллен
    Sep 9 '15 at 11:49






  • 3




    Robusto's answer is spot on. While you may be able to find some argument based on context, most likely the usage is fine. Use your mistake as a lesson opportunity.
    – samuelesque
    Sep 9 '15 at 12:20








  • 1




    Presumably this was not a math assignment: "Can I split x into two factors? Chillax, Dude! x is not a prime number!"
    – GEdgar
    Sep 9 '15 at 13:32






  • 1




    You're not alone...I hate the word too...and I'm unrepentant on this. I don't know why, there's just something about it that grinds my gears. I agree with Robusto...its a matter of appropriateness. What was the topic for writing?
    – michael_timofeev
    Sep 9 '15 at 15:47






  • 1




    Note that the word is incredibly "young". One online dictionary records it's first known use as 1999. As such, even in the best of circumstances it must be considered "slang" -- appropriate only in text that is attempting to reproduce vernacular speech.
    – Hot Licks
    Sep 9 '15 at 18:36














  • 1




    This site does not mark chillax as incorrect, as far as I can see. My spellchecker does, but that's because spellcheckers are behind the times.
    – Matt E. Эллен
    Sep 9 '15 at 11:49






  • 3




    Robusto's answer is spot on. While you may be able to find some argument based on context, most likely the usage is fine. Use your mistake as a lesson opportunity.
    – samuelesque
    Sep 9 '15 at 12:20








  • 1




    Presumably this was not a math assignment: "Can I split x into two factors? Chillax, Dude! x is not a prime number!"
    – GEdgar
    Sep 9 '15 at 13:32






  • 1




    You're not alone...I hate the word too...and I'm unrepentant on this. I don't know why, there's just something about it that grinds my gears. I agree with Robusto...its a matter of appropriateness. What was the topic for writing?
    – michael_timofeev
    Sep 9 '15 at 15:47






  • 1




    Note that the word is incredibly "young". One online dictionary records it's first known use as 1999. As such, even in the best of circumstances it must be considered "slang" -- appropriate only in text that is attempting to reproduce vernacular speech.
    – Hot Licks
    Sep 9 '15 at 18:36








1




1




This site does not mark chillax as incorrect, as far as I can see. My spellchecker does, but that's because spellcheckers are behind the times.
– Matt E. Эллен
Sep 9 '15 at 11:49




This site does not mark chillax as incorrect, as far as I can see. My spellchecker does, but that's because spellcheckers are behind the times.
– Matt E. Эллен
Sep 9 '15 at 11:49




3




3




Robusto's answer is spot on. While you may be able to find some argument based on context, most likely the usage is fine. Use your mistake as a lesson opportunity.
– samuelesque
Sep 9 '15 at 12:20






Robusto's answer is spot on. While you may be able to find some argument based on context, most likely the usage is fine. Use your mistake as a lesson opportunity.
– samuelesque
Sep 9 '15 at 12:20






1




1




Presumably this was not a math assignment: "Can I split x into two factors? Chillax, Dude! x is not a prime number!"
– GEdgar
Sep 9 '15 at 13:32




Presumably this was not a math assignment: "Can I split x into two factors? Chillax, Dude! x is not a prime number!"
– GEdgar
Sep 9 '15 at 13:32




1




1




You're not alone...I hate the word too...and I'm unrepentant on this. I don't know why, there's just something about it that grinds my gears. I agree with Robusto...its a matter of appropriateness. What was the topic for writing?
– michael_timofeev
Sep 9 '15 at 15:47




You're not alone...I hate the word too...and I'm unrepentant on this. I don't know why, there's just something about it that grinds my gears. I agree with Robusto...its a matter of appropriateness. What was the topic for writing?
– michael_timofeev
Sep 9 '15 at 15:47




1




1




Note that the word is incredibly "young". One online dictionary records it's first known use as 1999. As such, even in the best of circumstances it must be considered "slang" -- appropriate only in text that is attempting to reproduce vernacular speech.
– Hot Licks
Sep 9 '15 at 18:36




Note that the word is incredibly "young". One online dictionary records it's first known use as 1999. As such, even in the best of circumstances it must be considered "slang" -- appropriate only in text that is attempting to reproduce vernacular speech.
– Hot Licks
Sep 9 '15 at 18:36










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Language changes over time. New words are added and old ones fall by the wayside. The portmanteau chillax (combining chill, from "chill out," a newish slang term meaning "relax," and relax meaning the same thing) is an example of how a lot of people talk these days.



What you may want to think about is when such a term is appropriate and when it is not. In an academic or scientific paper (excluding linguistics) one would do well to avoid the term altogether; the same applies to legal documents, sober-sided business publications, and so on.



Bear in mind that if your student tells you to "chillax" it's fairly rude, so that is also a case where you might want to suggest it not be used. But you needn't worry that casual use of chillax among peers will rot the students' brains. It won't.



Wallace Stevens, the great American poet, said of modern poetry that "It has to be living, to learn the speech of the place." "Chillax" is an example of living language. Do not feel you have to kill it, because 1) you don't have to, and 2) you can't.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    I hate the word. There's no fluidity at all when the word is used. It emotes a slang somewhat ghetto feel. I would advise individuals to not use this word unless in a nonprofessional environment to include interviews. With all the wonderful words that we have in language they have to demonize and slam together this word. I sure wish that if this is going to be a trend, they come up with something that flows just a little bit more eloquent off the tongue. I hope my son doesn't use that type of word.






    share|improve this answer








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      2 Answers
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      Language changes over time. New words are added and old ones fall by the wayside. The portmanteau chillax (combining chill, from "chill out," a newish slang term meaning "relax," and relax meaning the same thing) is an example of how a lot of people talk these days.



      What you may want to think about is when such a term is appropriate and when it is not. In an academic or scientific paper (excluding linguistics) one would do well to avoid the term altogether; the same applies to legal documents, sober-sided business publications, and so on.



      Bear in mind that if your student tells you to "chillax" it's fairly rude, so that is also a case where you might want to suggest it not be used. But you needn't worry that casual use of chillax among peers will rot the students' brains. It won't.



      Wallace Stevens, the great American poet, said of modern poetry that "It has to be living, to learn the speech of the place." "Chillax" is an example of living language. Do not feel you have to kill it, because 1) you don't have to, and 2) you can't.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        10
        down vote













        Language changes over time. New words are added and old ones fall by the wayside. The portmanteau chillax (combining chill, from "chill out," a newish slang term meaning "relax," and relax meaning the same thing) is an example of how a lot of people talk these days.



        What you may want to think about is when such a term is appropriate and when it is not. In an academic or scientific paper (excluding linguistics) one would do well to avoid the term altogether; the same applies to legal documents, sober-sided business publications, and so on.



        Bear in mind that if your student tells you to "chillax" it's fairly rude, so that is also a case where you might want to suggest it not be used. But you needn't worry that casual use of chillax among peers will rot the students' brains. It won't.



        Wallace Stevens, the great American poet, said of modern poetry that "It has to be living, to learn the speech of the place." "Chillax" is an example of living language. Do not feel you have to kill it, because 1) you don't have to, and 2) you can't.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          10
          down vote










          up vote
          10
          down vote









          Language changes over time. New words are added and old ones fall by the wayside. The portmanteau chillax (combining chill, from "chill out," a newish slang term meaning "relax," and relax meaning the same thing) is an example of how a lot of people talk these days.



          What you may want to think about is when such a term is appropriate and when it is not. In an academic or scientific paper (excluding linguistics) one would do well to avoid the term altogether; the same applies to legal documents, sober-sided business publications, and so on.



          Bear in mind that if your student tells you to "chillax" it's fairly rude, so that is also a case where you might want to suggest it not be used. But you needn't worry that casual use of chillax among peers will rot the students' brains. It won't.



          Wallace Stevens, the great American poet, said of modern poetry that "It has to be living, to learn the speech of the place." "Chillax" is an example of living language. Do not feel you have to kill it, because 1) you don't have to, and 2) you can't.






          share|improve this answer














          Language changes over time. New words are added and old ones fall by the wayside. The portmanteau chillax (combining chill, from "chill out," a newish slang term meaning "relax," and relax meaning the same thing) is an example of how a lot of people talk these days.



          What you may want to think about is when such a term is appropriate and when it is not. In an academic or scientific paper (excluding linguistics) one would do well to avoid the term altogether; the same applies to legal documents, sober-sided business publications, and so on.



          Bear in mind that if your student tells you to "chillax" it's fairly rude, so that is also a case where you might want to suggest it not be used. But you needn't worry that casual use of chillax among peers will rot the students' brains. It won't.



          Wallace Stevens, the great American poet, said of modern poetry that "It has to be living, to learn the speech of the place." "Chillax" is an example of living language. Do not feel you have to kill it, because 1) you don't have to, and 2) you can't.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Sep 11 '15 at 17:10

























          answered Sep 9 '15 at 11:47









          Robusto

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          127k27303513
























              up vote
              0
              down vote













              I hate the word. There's no fluidity at all when the word is used. It emotes a slang somewhat ghetto feel. I would advise individuals to not use this word unless in a nonprofessional environment to include interviews. With all the wonderful words that we have in language they have to demonize and slam together this word. I sure wish that if this is going to be a trend, they come up with something that flows just a little bit more eloquent off the tongue. I hope my son doesn't use that type of word.






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                up vote
                0
                down vote













                I hate the word. There's no fluidity at all when the word is used. It emotes a slang somewhat ghetto feel. I would advise individuals to not use this word unless in a nonprofessional environment to include interviews. With all the wonderful words that we have in language they have to demonize and slam together this word. I sure wish that if this is going to be a trend, they come up with something that flows just a little bit more eloquent off the tongue. I hope my son doesn't use that type of word.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.




















                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  I hate the word. There's no fluidity at all when the word is used. It emotes a slang somewhat ghetto feel. I would advise individuals to not use this word unless in a nonprofessional environment to include interviews. With all the wonderful words that we have in language they have to demonize and slam together this word. I sure wish that if this is going to be a trend, they come up with something that flows just a little bit more eloquent off the tongue. I hope my son doesn't use that type of word.






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  I hate the word. There's no fluidity at all when the word is used. It emotes a slang somewhat ghetto feel. I would advise individuals to not use this word unless in a nonprofessional environment to include interviews. With all the wonderful words that we have in language they have to demonize and slam together this word. I sure wish that if this is going to be a trend, they come up with something that flows just a little bit more eloquent off the tongue. I hope my son doesn't use that type of word.







                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer






                  New contributor




                  Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  answered 42 mins ago









                  Ralph Cavallo

                  1




                  1




                  New contributor




                  Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





                  New contributor





                  Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






                  Ralph Cavallo is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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