Rock

Rock (1905-10) derived from the Middle English term "rokk(e)" (1300-50). The original use of rock, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a geology term used to describe a stone with a large mass that forms a cliff or any other natural prominence. Today, the use of rock closest to its earlier use is used to describe stones of any shape.

The word rock has come a long way since its earliest history. Its use today is extremely versatile, and appears in countless connotations other than its scientific connotation. It first appeared as a genre of music. Rock music originated in the late 1940's, and laid the road for the terms "rock and roll"and "rock star". Early references cited rock music as a musical rhythm accompanied with a strong beat. "The Cotton Pickers..came on with a steady rock that was really groovy." (OED) The term was later mainstreamed and used to describe popular music of the 1970-80's. "This is politics fashioned for the young: ‘the *rock culture’, it is being called." (OED) As the rock music became more popular, so did the diversity of the term "rock". Musicians from other genres especially the hip-hop community, were often referring themselves as rock stars.

In a world of countless slang words, rock has certainly made its mark. It begins from the exclamation of "that rocks" as a way to express how spectacular something is. The term is used to express the weight of the narcotic drugs cocaine. This is considered to be street lingo, and is commonly used by drug dealers or police officers. The word "rock" commonly replaces precious jewels such as diamonds by jewelers . It is even used to inform bartenders to put ice in one's drink; drink on the rocks and having an organism; you rocked my socks.

The word rock has derived into many parts of the English language. Each use of the term means completely different things. Naturally, from a less objective standpoint, there is no clear relationship between "a rock" to describe cocaine and "a rock" to describe a jewel because they are so different socially and literally. After analyzing the original definition of the term, every connotation derived from its origin can all be connected in some way. For rock music to actually be considered to be rock mucic, musicians would need instruments like guitars and drums to produce a certain level of sound and energy. This energy, figuratively, resembles something larger than life. Mountains, like Mount Everest, is more than qualified to be considered larger than life. When a drug uses the phrase "a rock", a customer asking for a "drink on the rocks", or something telling their spouse you "rock my socks" most people would not think of it to mean the mineral. Although different in literal meaning, rock music, and all forms of slang can certainly be connected back to its roots.

Much of the keyword's current connotations are directly linked to today's media. As discussed in class, much of today's media is desperately holding on as part of the mainstream, though this was not the case prior to technological advancements in the world. Rock music is played on more radio stations than any other forms of music. Lifestyle, through reality, second life or cultural differences all connects with the keyword. The use of slang can associate and discriminate people with different lifestyles. Ultimately, only in a society that is being more tolerable will new innovations of languages bloom.