What’s wrong with ‘contacting’?

.. and then only colloquially ... nothing to do with quails.

The language evolves but it can go back again. Words once defunct appear again
I write text an American cousin whose expressions sound quaint to me
She talks about how she should write someone, not write to someone
.I recently came across a letter from the 1930s and English people were not writing to.

Interesting. Write - transitive. To communicate (information, greetings, etc.) by letter; to send (a message) in writing. Typically with the recipient specified as an indirect object, or in a prepositional phrase introduced by to, unto.

These examples appear in the OED. I've omitted the attributions.

1561 He wrott vnto the Duke,..he would..put a medicin vpon his gunnstones.

1598 He writes me here that [etc.].

1616 They wrot me how the Portingals had 4 gallions.

1662 Alexander..writ word to his Mother he had found out [etc.].

a1706 She writes me..what Conflicts she had indur'd.

1769 Your brother writ me an account of your fatal falling away.

1833 I had..written to Rose how we had best start agitating.

1850 You will..write me word how it looks.

1875 [She] writes me that she is very much better.

1957 We have heard: his Secy writes that he is out of town but implies that he will be back before our date.

2014 ‘I think he adds to the gaiety of nations,’ Paxman wrote to me in an e-mail.

I like the variations in word usage. It's always happened.

I agree that language is fascinating - and those phrases that grate on me will be the norm, and my grandchildren will find others that grate on my children. And long may it continue!

Thanks for reaching out

I's one of those naff corporate / management-speak phrases that probably evolved during a blue-sky brainstorming session...

... along with the your call is important to us.

I'm not sure, but I believe I read somewhere that it originated in the USA. No comment.

When you do "reach out", some companies and organisations give the impression that they'd really rather you hadn't.

I've no objection to an evolving language - but I don't like someone attempting to bamboozle me with phony, touchy-feely phrases.

If they really wanted you to reach out because your call is important to them, they'd employ more staff to answer calls so that you didn't have to press 1 / 2 /3 or more and be held in a bloody queue.

... I've typed dissertations on here while I've been held in some queues waiting for someone who believes my call is important to darned well answer it!

I once heard it said that the only people that should reach out are the Four Tops.

Americanisms sometimes sound odd to us:-

(of a store) where I "trade" rather than shop

Will you "work with me" rather than co-operate (or cooperate as Americans spell it)

To a shop assistant "can you wait on me" rather than help or serve me

"at this time" rather than now

"our facility" rather than our shop/factory/office

And of course in USA everything is "shipped" regardless of what method it is transported by.

Not surprisingly, I am enjoying this interesting and knowledgeable thread.

Thank to those, who have contributed.

FoghornLeghorn

I once heard it said that the only people that should reach out are the Four Tops.

Now that I like FoghornLeghorn! Made me laugh. Very clever!
🤣

Wow Caravansera! Your postings (always worth reading) are so illuminating on this topic. Thank you for taking an interest. Every day is a school day on GN. Another reason I love it!
😊👏

Reaching out implies that you are asking for help, it’s a much more positive “spin” to put on a complaint, therefore the agents dealing with you have a more positive image of their job.
Jargon is everywhere and is constantly evolving no point in trying to change that just go with the flow.

I reach out and get my little cat who likes to sit on the roof and miaow until I come and get her. I thought contact was something sticky you cover books with.

Reach out always makes me think if the Four Tops and their 1960s hit. It’s taken a long time to catch on!

Great idea Jaxkacky. I remember calling Green Flag years ago and whilst on hold was Rescue Me by Fontella Bass!

I wonder if Ralph Carmichael, American composter, bandleader and one of the pioneers of contemporary Christian music, was influenced by the 1966 Holland-Dozier-Holland song when he wrote Reach Out to Jesus. Or maybe it was vice versa if the latter was known in gospel singing but not yet recorded. Carmichael was a well-known arranger for jazz singers including Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Bing Crosby. The first recording of Reach Out For Jesus was released in 1968.

Compare the lyrics:

Four Tops:

Now if you feel that you can't go on
Because all of your hope is gone
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion
And your world around is crumblin' down … reach out

Ralph Carmichael:

Does the road you travel, harbor dangers yet unknown?
Are you growin' weary in the struggle of it all?
Jesus will help you with all his name you call.

He's always there hearing every prayer, faithful and true
Walking by our side, in his love we hide all the day through
When you get discouraged just remember what to do
Reach out to Jesus, he's reaching out to you.

Is the life you're living filled with sorrow and despair?
Does the future press you with its worry and its scare?
Are you tired and jealous, have you almost your way?
Jesus will help you, just talk to him today.

Elvis Presley recorded a version of the Carmichael song on his 1972 Grammy winning album of sacred songs He Touched Me.

secondhandsongs.com/performance/433636

The unverified trombone version does exist and can be found on YouTube.

Also everyone needs ‘support’ in some form or another.

Years ago, my boss asked me for ‘support’ when she couldn’t do something. Why didn’t she just say “Calendar, can you ‘help’ me with this please?”

When did ‘help’ turn into ‘support’.?

I remember being told off at school in the 1960s by our English teacher because we said fab/fabulous and fantastic. She told us we should only use these words in their original meaning. Nowadays the 1960s new meaning is standard.

Reach out sounds just like the guff Meghan Markle (remember her?) comes out with…
I dislike “I’m good”. I’m asking how you are, not your moral state.🙄
Have to own up that I was surprised to read that ‘gotten’ has an antique and creditable history, travelling to the U.S. from these parts.

Saying 'I lost my mother last week' instead of 'unfortunately, mum died last week'.
If you have lost her, why the hell are you standing chatting instead of looking for her?!
A lot of these 'new' sayings are coming from America. And we all know how much they like to shorten or change the English language! 🤣

I have always accepted 'get in touch' as a perfectly normal, acceptable alternative to 'contact', even though it describes an action where no actual touching takes place.

Thinking about it, 'reach out' is quite similar - after all, you usually have to reach out in order to touch something or someone!
As I am perfectly OK using one of these , I really shouldn't have a problem with the other being used in the same context.

I love that languages evolve, although I'm annoyed by things that feel like sudden, generally trans-atlantic imports.

I hate mealy-mouthisms like "passed" and "reach out".

I am annoyed by words that seem to have changed their meanings through ignorance. For example, "presently" in English means "soon", not "at present/now" but one rarely sees it used correctly.

Let’s unpack this problem ☹️ what’s wrong with discuss ?

The difficulty with objecting to different ways of saying died is that they probably make the user more comfortable than saying died, even though they may irritate the listener.

Somehow ‘My bad’ seems to be replacing ‘oh I’m so sorry, that was my mistake’.