… It's short for "edited to add." It's generally considered good form on Reddit to point out what you've edited in your original post/comment. Sometimes you see just something like "E:" or "Edit:"
Ah, the joys of language! It’s like a big, messy ball of yarn that some cat has gotten into, and now we’re all just trying to untangle the mess while simultaneously wondering how on earth we ended up here. If you’ve ever felt the frustration of seeing a word or acronym used in a way that makes you question the sanity of your fellow humans, you’re not alone. I recently stumbled upon a Reddit post that encapsulated this very feeling, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster of emotions—mostly annoyance, with a splash of humor.
The original poster, who we’ll affectionately call Salty McShaft (because, honestly, who doesn’t love a good username?), shared their grievance about the phrase “ETA.” Now, for those of you who might have been living under a rock—or perhaps just don’t hang out with enough pilots—ETA typically stands for “Estimated Time of Arrival.” It’s a term that’s been around longer than most of us have been alive, and it’s served its purpose well in both travel and casual conversation. But apparently, the internet has decided that ETA can also mean “Edited To Add.”
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the audacity of this linguistic leap. I mean, sure, we’re all for brevity in communication; nobody wants to read a novel when a tweet will do. But really? You’re going to take an established acronym and use it for something completely different? It’s like showing up to a potluck with a casserole and then claiming it’s a salad because it has lettuce in it. Sure, there’s lettuce, but we all know that’s not what we signed up for.
Salty McShaft makes an excellent point: when you’re abbreviating “Edited To Add” to “ETA,” you’re saving a whopping one letter. One. And in the grand scheme of things, is that really worth the confusion? It’s like deciding to drive a mile to save a penny on gas. At the end of the day, you’re still going to end up at the same destination—just a little more irritated.
What’s particularly amusing (and mildly infuriating) is how language evolves. Linguists will tell you that language is fluid, and they’d be right. But there’s a fine line between adapting language for efficiency and just plain making it unnecessarily complicated. It’s like when someone decides to start spelling “through” as “thru.” Sure, it’s quicker to type, but now we’re left wondering if we’re reading a text message or an ad for a fast-food restaurant.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Maybe it’s time to draw a line in the sand (or the digital space) and agree that while we can embrace new slang and abbreviations, we should also keep a little bit of clarity in our communication. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time we want to say something. Let’s reserve ETA for its rightful place in the world of travel—and if you feel the need to add something to your post, just spell it out. Trust me, the world won’t end if you type out “Edited To Add.”
In conclusion, as we navigate this ever-changing landscape of language, let’s try to keep our wits about us. We’re not all ancient relics who can’t keep up with the times; we’re just trying to make sense of a world where “ETA” can mean both a flight arrival and a last-minute thought. So the next time you see an acronym that makes you do a double-take, remember Salty McShaft and the great ETA debate. And for the love of all that is holy, don’t forget to edit your posts without turning into a linguistic contortionist!
Inspired by: “I know I’m old” (r/mildlyinfuriating)