semantic

1. a number that just increases every time someone does something, because doing things properly is hard.

Ive just made a code change. I expect semantic versioning to automatically increment, because bumping a version up (0.0.1 -> 0.0.2) by 1 is hard.

by anonymous April 20, 2023

semantic satiation

Semantic satiation is a psychological phenomenon where repeating a word or phrase many times causes it to temporarily lose its meaning, making it sound like a meaningless collection of sounds. This occurs because repeated activation of a neural pathway to a word's meaning can cause temporary fatigue or inhibition, leading the brain to re-regulate its focus and temporarily cease to process the word's meaning.

I kept repeating the word 'crowded' over and over for a minute, and by the end, it just sounded like a weird noise—total semantic satiation!

by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025

Semantic Drift

When words stop meaning what they used to. Over time, phrases get watered down, co-opted, or twisted until they lose their original punch. Think “literally,” “authentic,” or “disruption.”

Startup bros calling every idea ‘disruptive’ is just semantic drift in action.

by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 4, 2025

semantic

1. A number that just increases every time someone does something, because doing things properly is hard.

When someone does a thing with a code change and expects semantic versioning to increment itself. Simply append the version by one (depending on a breaking/major/minor change) and deploy. Fairly simple...

by anonymous April 20, 2023

Semantic redirector

“If you’re reading this, someone got you to look it up. That’s their secret power.”

Cameron

Cameron is a brilliant semantic redirector

by Mr Ocean July 30, 2025

SEMANTIC FIDELITY

How well a message preserves its core meaning as it moves through filters, algorithms, translations, or people. High fidelity means the intent survives. Low fidelity means the words still look right but the meaning has drifted.

“I told him I needed support, and he sent me a link to a productivity hack. Zero semantic fidelity.”

by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions November 5, 2025

Semantic Fidelity

When words still carry their original meaning instead of getting twisted by algorithms, brands, or culture. The opposite of when “authentic” somehow means staged. High semantic fidelity = language actually says what it means.

“Bro, that ad copy has zero semantic fidelity. It’s like reading a chatbot trained on vibes.”

by GuyWhoWritesDefinitions September 4, 2025