Flat Panel TV Creates a New Language

For all the years while we were growing up, people would talk about their television as a “TV.” Of course we knew what that meant. The acronym “TV” had become mainstream and acceptable. The media used it and Merriam-Webster embraced it. In fact, “TV” only meant “television.” Over a period of time it became understood by people throughout most of the world. Now the language has changed.

Now, when people talk about their television, they use the words “flat panel” and we have come to know what that means. It means a “TV.” Our default understanding is that it means a TV.

Just think back 30 years ago and imagine a conversation with someone who would say they were getting a new “flat panel.” What would you think they were getting? I would have thought they might be getting a panel truck-bed that is, well, flat. There still are flat-bed trucks. A “flat panel” comment during that time period would have led me to think of trucks. My response would have been:

“Ford has a reputation for making good sturdy trucks but you might consider Renault for your flat-bed.”

During that same time period in the 70's, if someone made the comment about getting a "flat panel” while sitting in our family room, I would have likely thought they meant new "flat wood paneling” for their den. The paneling is actually flat material; some of it had grooves. I would have assumed, based on their word choice that they want grooveless paneling for their den walls and not raised panel wainscoting, another common application. Back in the 1970’s, wood paneling in homes was the decorator rage.

Under the circumstances of the 1970’s time period, my response to the comment about new "flat panel” could have been, “We got ours on sale at the hardware store (prior to the birth of Home Depot). It is Pecan wood. We like it because it looks like real wood in our den.” (I can hear you laughing right now)

Also, the wood paneling we used to covet in the 60’s and 70’s is not the same as the wood paneling now used in fine homes. Today, there truly is a type of “flat panel” wood paneling style yet when we hear people speak those words today they are not talking about refinishing their walls or outfitting their truck. Instead, they are talking about their entertainment system, their television. They do not need to qualify the words by including the word “television” so that we will know. We know. So does Merriam-Webster which defines “flat panel” as “relating to or being a thin flat video display.” They provide nothing about being “finished in Pecan or Pine.”

Whether someone means flat panel 1080p or flat panel plasma or HDTV screen, it all means television. It looks as though “flat panel” is already replacing our common use of the words “TV” or “television.” It’s fun to learn a new language.