Gifting?

Sanmrbro

I dislike the use of the word “Gift” for “Present “ - only because of its meaning in German😂😂😂

Somewhat toxic!

It’s a bit like people in smart cars and well dressed turn up at food banks
Never thought I would post on Penants” corner. I must be getting old. Better watch my spellings

So many people do this Go Fund Me ... pay for whatever it is yourself ! Why do you think you deserve a free ride ?

I haven't been able to confirm it but I was told that it was General Alexander Haig who first said, "There is no noun that cannot be verbed."

I've just realised that "to give" is transitive whereas "to gift" and "to give away" are intransitive, which makes them more versatile. Perhaps that's why "gift" is the word of choice for these people.

Doodledog

Often people who are in need of free items aren’t able to collect large things though. I’m not saying the giver should be out of pocket, but it’s by no means a given that if someone can’t collect they are being unreasonable. The cost of hiring a van would often be more than a bit of second hand furniture is worth, and that assumes that the taker can drive.

I agree with this.

I recently gave away a single bed, and was so pleased the couple who took it had their own transport.

We would probably have delivered it somewhere local if not, as if we had taken it to the tip (which would have been a shame as it was in VGC) it still meant a few miles to travel with it.

Often people who are in need of free items aren’t able to collect large things though. I’m not saying the giver should be out of pocket, but it’s by no means a given that if someone can’t collect they are being unreasonable. The cost of hiring a van would often be more than a bit of second hand furniture is worth, and that assumes that the taker can drive.

Oh Lord I just used the phrase ‘simple as’ and I’m on pedant’s corner.
Is ok I’ll just get my coat 😬

I have no opinion on the word gift or present but I do think that giving stuff away on freecycle etc., is a good idea, and those in need of a particular item who ask for it specifically are not necessarily scroungers, just hoping someone sees their request and has what they need. But neighbours of ours advertised a futon bed on freecycle and the first people who responded wanted them to deliver it as well. So they said no and waited until somebody responded who could pick it up. The way I see it if you are getting something for free you arrange to pick it up. Simple as.

I use freegle myself but would never request something on Facebook. Also I hate the wanted posts that are specific about the style and condition of items - seems like scrounging to me. If I need something I can't afford I'm grateful for anything thatt does the job, whether it matches my colour scheme or not! I have given and received many items over the years, particularly after my ex husband left taking some things with him leaving us without. Now it is more likely to be giving stuff away as I'm trying to declutter, but wouldn't use the term gifting.
I do use the term regifting when giving something as a present that I had previously received and had no use for!

Me and DH are always talking about this. There is a woman on our local group who is forever asking "Is anyone gifting". I appreciate times are hard for some but it's always for things that can be bought cheaply locally.
The Shopping Channels are even worse. Everything they sell it's gift it to you family, friends, neighbours and some of the items are not cheap. So why would you.

I prefer gift. Present to me is rather formal i.e. presenting something

Sanmrbro

I dislike the use of the word “Gift” for “Present “ - only because of its meaning in German😂😂😂

I had to look it up, have never know that!

I dislike the use of the word “Gift” for “Present “ - only because of its meaning in German😂😂😂

Flippin2

I have a neighbour who is always on the scrounge on FB,it's always does anyone have a...it was a rabbit hutch,dogs paddling pool,now it's does anyone have an iPad they don't want..why shouldn't she pay for them like everyone else..

Not that this actually has anything to do with Pedant's Corner, but two reasons spring to my mind:
they may not be able to afford to buy new or second-hand expensive items
or
they may feel it is evironmentally better to get the use out of household machines as long as possible rather than them just being dumped or destroyed.

But I do much prefer giving to gifting, from the linguistic point of view.

NotSpaghetti

I think the items given on Freecycle.org or Facebook are not really "gifts" in my thinking - however pleased we might be to have them. They are certainly kindly given though.

They aren't gifts, IMO - they are usually offered to save the 'giver' having to pay to dispose of them. Which, of course, is absolutely fine, as it results in a win/win situation. I find it irritating when people come over all martyred about it though.

I do understand people feeling uncomfortable when they see requests for things. It does seem like scrounging, particularly when the askers are very specific about what they want - smart TV, matching single wardrobes or whatever. But at the same time, someone somewhere might be looking forward to getting rid of just such an item, but can't easily get it to the tip, or doesn't want to pay the (often large) fees for the council to take it away. It does no harm to ask, although I can't imagine being comfortable with doing so myself.

A couple of years ago I joined a few 'freecycle' type sites in connection with a charity I was supporting, and was surprised at the things on offer - half bags of nappies, tubs of formula baby milk, food bought on BOGOF that it turned out wouldn't get used etc. When people are in need, every little helps, and there is no reason why someone struggling to set up home on a very tight budget shouldn't want to make it as nice as possible for herself and her children.

Much better to recycle than to use landfill why not GIFT anything you no longer need. In my experience people are always very grateful.

I think the items given on Freecycle.org or Facebook are not really "gifts" in my thinking - however pleased we might be to have them. They are certainly kindly given though.

Sorry winterwhite, I like the sound of the word 'gift' although I use both.

Same scroungers who do Go Fund Me.

JackyB

I would be bothered by 'et al', which only applies to persons, not things.

I stand corrected.

Gwyllt

Don’t usually join in on pedants” corner but perhaps instead of either term, use that of scrounging

Haha yes, as that’s exactly what it is.

Cabbie21

Too many of those hoping to receive these ‘gifts’ will sell them.

Yes, indeed - too often the case.

As is un- inviting 😫

As for "gifting" I found this:

Gift as a verb has a 400-year history of use and means “to present someone with a gift.” Some feel strongly that give is the correct word, but gift-as-a-verb is an acceptable and efficient alternative. Since the 1990s the word has surged in popularity, perhaps in part because of a well-known Seinfeld episode concerning “regifting” and “degifting.”

However, this was on the Merriam-Webster site and is therefore American, but 400 years would take it back to pre-Noah Webster so, by definition is British English as well.