Topic: Literati & digerati

A recent question found us looking at (and looking up) literati and digerati. We'll begin by defining those two terms. Literati names "the educated class; the intelligentsia; persons interested in literature and the arts." Digerati (which was formed from the dig of digital plus the erati that appears in literati) names "persons well-versed in computer use and technology."

The question that sent us off to the dictionary was this: why is it that both literati and digerati appear in the dictionary as plural nouns, but only literati includes a singular form (literatus)? Will digerati soon be accompanied by a notation for the singular digeratus? And if not, why not?

Digerati is not expected to be joined by digeratus any time soon. Why? Because the editors charged with tracking usage have yet to find a single instance of digeratus in print. As logical as a coinage may appear, until it catches on with the public and is considered well-established by editors, a word has not earned its position in the dictionary. Since digeratus has yet to be fingered as the singular form for "a person well-versed in computer use and technology," it has yet to appear in the dictionary. Does that mean a person shouldn't use digeratus? Not at all, but be aware that someone may point out it's a new coinage.

Questions or comments? Write us at wftw@aol.com Production and research support for Word for the Wise comes from Merriam-Webster, publisher of language reference books and CDs including Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.