Cohort has been used by demographers for decades. It is more specific than group in that there is an underlying common characteristic(s). If someone said a group of women, you might imagine women with a variety of ages, marital status, religions, etc. However, if someone says a cohort of women, you should inquire about those characteristics. For instance, a cohort of women might be white, married, and over 65. I haven’t noticed that cohort is used any more or less than I’ve seen it over the years, so I can’t comment if it is being used correctly where you are seeing it. I do find that there are fads to language use. For instance, one that drives me crazy is when educators use “learners”. What’s wrong with students?
This isn't exactly the same as this thread, but it does illustrate how terms get picked up. Years ago I started calling Box elder bugs "Hermans." I don't know why, it just seemed to fit. I had to laugh one day when I saw my niece point to a bug and say "Herman." (No offense to anyone named Herman)
My grandparents' white farm home in S.W. Iowa was black with these bugs on the sunny side each summer and I was raised to call them "Democrat bugs". As an early teen I finally inquired of my good Hooverite grandma, "Why?"
Cohort is a term used in science research and discussion, and was commonly used when I started psychology reserarch in the 1970's. The Iowa Writers group is a cohort of journalists, etc. Here is term (at least as slang) which I don't hear much now, and which was always intriguing as it was a contradiction: "co-op" was used to describe something or somebody who would block or interfere an action, etc. in contrast to the usual meaning of cooperation, working together.
Julie, I’m “hep,” as we’d say long ago, to “cohort,” “greenwashing” and I even understand “‘microaggression” although I don’t condone it. But “plethora” remains banned in my cohort.
Thanks for a reminder. KISS - I’ve survived 85 years with Farm Kid One Room Country School English - with passionate love of reading all genres - even Farm kids eventually become emotionally attached with strange combinations of our alphabet.
Cohort is regularly used in medical research reporting. It does denote a group, possibly the control group, in which they are matched to be so alike that variation occurs from the study question and not from inherent diversity.
I still can hear my dad yelling at me back in the 50’s after my friends and I skipped school to go shopping in Fort Dodge, “What in hell are you and your cohorts going to cook up next?” Obviously, context told me the meaning.
That word has been bugging me. Thank you for this! Seems like a trendy way of saying group. A little too precious for me.
Cohort has been used by demographers for decades. It is more specific than group in that there is an underlying common characteristic(s). If someone said a group of women, you might imagine women with a variety of ages, marital status, religions, etc. However, if someone says a cohort of women, you should inquire about those characteristics. For instance, a cohort of women might be white, married, and over 65. I haven’t noticed that cohort is used any more or less than I’ve seen it over the years, so I can’t comment if it is being used correctly where you are seeing it. I do find that there are fads to language use. For instance, one that drives me crazy is when educators use “learners”. What’s wrong with students?
Yes, 'cohort' has been around for years. Maybe it's just the fact that I heard it used in unusual circumstances three times in a row recently.
Mom claimed "cohort" was my first word, in late 1946.
I just saw this comment. I would not be surprised!
I love words and love learning and using new ones. Thanks for highlighting these words!
GREAT column. As a local government 'pro', I experienced 'stakeholder' replacing resident, taxpayer,etc.
Good point.
Good one!
This isn't exactly the same as this thread, but it does illustrate how terms get picked up. Years ago I started calling Box elder bugs "Hermans." I don't know why, it just seemed to fit. I had to laugh one day when I saw my niece point to a bug and say "Herman." (No offense to anyone named Herman)
Hermans! What a hoot!
My grandparents' white farm home in S.W. Iowa was black with these bugs on the sunny side each summer and I was raised to call them "Democrat bugs". As an early teen I finally inquired of my good Hooverite grandma, "Why?"
"Because the good Lord made so many of them!"
Oh, so funny!
Cohort is a term used in science research and discussion, and was commonly used when I started psychology reserarch in the 1970's. The Iowa Writers group is a cohort of journalists, etc. Here is term (at least as slang) which I don't hear much now, and which was always intriguing as it was a contradiction: "co-op" was used to describe something or somebody who would block or interfere an action, etc. in contrast to the usual meaning of cooperation, working together.
perhaps, "co-opt"?
Julie, I’m “hep,” as we’d say long ago, to “cohort,” “greenwashing” and I even understand “‘microaggression” although I don’t condone it. But “plethora” remains banned in my cohort.
Thanks for a reminder. KISS - I’ve survived 85 years with Farm Kid One Room Country School English - with passionate love of reading all genres - even Farm kids eventually become emotionally attached with strange combinations of our alphabet.
Cohort is regularly used in medical research reporting. It does denote a group, possibly the control group, in which they are matched to be so alike that variation occurs from the study question and not from inherent diversity.
Interesting!
I still can hear my dad yelling at me back in the 50’s after my friends and I skipped school to go shopping in Fort Dodge, “What in hell are you and your cohorts going to cook up next?” Obviously, context told me the meaning.
We also have a Forum (instead of a thread) in honor of the word cohort's Roman origins!