b'language matters The Jennifer McManus Team Over $25 MILLION in sales in 2025Is it better to gift and still going!than to give?D BY KRISTEN DI GENNARO But our clients experience matters most.iscussing his latest book, Unabridged: The Thrill of and Threat to the Modern Dictionary, Stefan Fatsis notes, I still have the Websters New World dictionary my mom gifted me on my 11th birthday. As the holiday season approaches and we shop for gifts, I wonder when and why we started gifting and stopped merely giving presents to others.I first noticed people regularly using to gift as a verb 15 or so years ago. Its a good example of what linguists call conversion, a process in which aCheck out what they had to say about us this year!*verb becomes a noun (as in thats a big ask) or more commonly, a noun becomes a verb (to gift). The latter case is frequent enough that many non- These 2025 Testimonials Speak for Themselves!linguists call it verbing, itself an example of conversion. Recent examples ofWithout hesitation, we called up Jen. Her guidance on the market, verbing Ive noticed include to caveat, instead of to warn, and to niche,steps we should take to make the house look its best and pricing from a YouTuber stating, I dont want to niche anymore.strategy were just what we needed.Accordingtomerriam-webster.com,theverbtogiftJen has deep market knowledge in the surrounding NJ neighbor-dates back 400 years. After going in and out ofhoods, has a calm demeanor, and always maintained exceptional fashion, its current popularity is often creditedcommunication skills.to the sitcom Seinfeld in which the characters regifted and degifted unappreciated gifts. In- She understands how important it is to collaborate with everyone deed, usage of to gift climbed in the late 1990sinvolved in the transaction of selling a home, but always keeps her androsedramaticallyaround2020.Asoftenclients best interests at heart.happens when two words compete for the sameJen is kind, extremely thorough and responsive, and her attention to meaning, either one word ceases to be used ordetail is incredible!the two words take on divergent meanings, rear- I couldnt imagine finding a realtor with a better skill set, kinder ranging the semantic space for both to coexist.disposition, nor a calmer demeanor to help, guide and advise clients In such cases, one retains a general meaning andduring real estate transactions. the other takes on a more specific one.I have absolute confidence in her after working with her on 3 transac-Centuries ago, the words meat and food both meant food, but be- tions, both as a buyer and seller.cause we dont need two words for the same concept, food remained theJen is just what you want in a realtorstrategic and results-oriented general term and meat became the word for food from protein. This iswhile making the entire process feel effortless.whats happening with give and gift. Members of Generation Z, grow-ing up with both verbs in circulation, find distinctions between them: to*Source2025 Google Reviewsgift means something is for the recipient to keep and give is for all otherFEATURED HOUSE JUST SOLD!scenarios.Even those of us who think to gift is unnecessary must admit there are times we need to specify Are you giving this to me to keep or just to bor- 49 Burnett Ter, Maplewood row? If the person has gifted it to you, theres no need to ask.Listed: $799,000If youre worried that to gift is replacing give, ask yourself if you haveSold over 40% over: $1,120,000heard anyone say, Just gift me a minute, or offer to gift you a lift to the12 OFFERS FIRST WEEKEND!station? But language changes. Maybe one day well say, To gift is better than to receipt.To wrap this up, I have a simple ask: as you present gifts and gift presents this holiday season, please note any interesting language uses and email meThe Jennifer McManus Team your takes at languagematters@mattersmagazine.com.#1 Small TeamKristen di Gennaro teaches linguistics at Pace University. She lives in Maplewood(917) 837-2192 and gathers language data during her daily encounters. A poster in her officejennifer.mcmanus@cbmoves.comreads, Keep your mouth openlinguists need data!language matters /23'