When did “cache” become a verb? – Wisconsin Geocaching Association

This topic has 18 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 21 years, 7 months ago by kbraband.

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06/05/2004 at 3:46 pm #1721281
kbraband
I read many forum posts and talk with geocachers about “caching.” Maybe I’m a stickler (okay, I am definitely a stickler) but isn’t “cache” a noun, as in “We found the cache”? I know no one else is likely to care about this, but when you make your living with words you sometimes get preoccupied with trivial matters.
06/05/2004 at 4:03 pm #1746956
Miata
I failed nouns and verbs in grade school. Just think of “caching” as slang.
06/05/2004 at 4:16 pm #1746957
Green Bay Paddlers
As a teacher, I agree with being a stickler. However…

One goes for a drive… but can go driving.
One goes for a run… but goes running.
One goes for a walk… but goes walking.

It’s only a matter of time before “caching” enters the mainstream vocabulary. I remember when “surfing” was riding a funny board on top of a wave.

I’m too preoccupied with students (and their parents) saying that they are “doing good” instead of “doing well”. Those students who tell each other to “drive safe” instead of “drive safely”.

I think we’re on pretty safe ground with “caching”.

I like the post though! Never hurts to get people thinking…
06/05/2004 at 4:56 pm #1746958
Cathunter
As one develops into a full-fledged geocacher, they begin to realize that it is not important. All other true geocachers will understand.

I guess you are just not there yet.

Cache On!!
06/05/2004 at 11:12 pm #1746959
sbukosky
If Ken isn’t there yet, nobody is! I happen to agree. I’ve tried to refer to the act of finding a geocache as hunting and the whole process as the hunt. I think that stemmed partly from people saying that they found the catch or were going catching.

Much of my pleasure, especially since being holed up in the house since the campout, has been enjoying going on ”the hunt” from my computer via USAPhotomap. Here’s to THE HUNT!
06/06/2004 at 2:10 am #1746960
greyhounder
I completely understand your feeling about the verbing of nouns. But I find myself doing it ALL THE TIME! Not just in relation to goecaching. Perhaps, though, the verb caching is just shortened from the word geocaching?

Hey — as long as we’re not using the “verb” networking, I am VERy happy!

Cache On!
Bec

(edited to fix my horrible spelling!)

[This message has been edited by greyhounder (edited 06-05-2004).]
06/06/2004 at 1:19 pm #1746961
GrouseTales
Use gots to gets to the root meaning of da word your trying to youse.

The word “verb” is short for “verbal”. If your verbally using it, its ok to youse it anyways use wants.
06/06/2004 at 2:45 pm #1746962
jthorson
According to my dictionary (Dictionary.com) the word cache comes from the French VERB cacher which means ‘to hide’.

Of course, when most of us go caching, its ‘to find’, not ‘to hide’. So the real scandal is not grammatical but semantical.

Ain’t that always da way, aina-hey?.
06/06/2004 at 3:41 pm #1746963
kbraband
Don’t get me started on the French!
06/06/2004 at 3:43 pm #1746964
Ray
Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, c1985:

1)cache ‘kashn[F,fr. cacher to press, hide…..

2)cache vt cached; caching (1805)….

there you have it folks
06/06/2004 at 5:14 pm #1746965
kbraband
I stand corrected. Cache can be used as a verb. However, as Jeff previously pointed outif you want to be completely correct, it refers to the act of storing or hiding, not to finding. So if you say you’re going to cache or going caching, it implies you’re going to hide or store a cache, not find one.
06/06/2004 at 6:15 pm #1746966
Ray
quote:

Originally posted by kbraband:
I stand corrected. Cache can be used as a verb. However, as Jeff previously pointed outif you want to be completely correct, it refers to the act of storing or hiding, not to finding. So if you say you’re going to cache or going caching, it implies you’re going to hide or store a cache, not find one.

So we took a little liberty with the language. Can that be so bad? afterall it is French
06/07/2004 at 12:18 am #1746967
greyhounder
At least we don’t have to Americaninze it — as in Freedom Fries! I’m not sure I could come up with a good new, American term…

Bec
06/07/2004 at 8:14 pm #1746968
WISearchers
Blame it all on one Mr. Jeremy Irish… see http://www.geoCACHING.com
06/07/2004 at 9:04 pm #1746969
kbraband
At the risk of beating a deceased horse…
I don’t argue with the use of “geocache” as a verb. I guess my feeling is that shortening it to “caching” just seems so overly cutesy that it loses its descriptive accuracy.
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