That's not entertainment!

The merging of two words to make a new one has a long and fairly respectable history in the English language.

But was there ever such an excrecence as the word edutainment?

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(This is a pause for all right-minded people to shudder with distaste, irritation and even a tinge of horror.)

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What's so bad about it?

Firstly, it's patronising: so they think we won't understand unless they dress up their information in silly clothes, do they?

Secondly, it's self-conscious: you can practically hear the smirk.

Thirdly, it's boasting: who are they to say that what they've done is entertaining?

Fourthly, it's unnecessary: all education has to be entertaining.

Fifthly, it's intrusive: educators have a temporary right to our minds, but not our souls.

Sixthly, it's time-wasting: we can find own entertainment, so just tell us what we need to know so we can get on with it.

Seventh, it's dangerous: it makes us want to beat people over the head with the nearest education strategy...

...hm...

...or is that just me?

Word NOT To Use Today: edutainment. This word was made up by someone, I don't know who, but definitely an idiot and a bighead. The word education is from the Latin word ēducāre, which is to do with rearing and before that with leading. Entertainment comes from the Old French words entre, which means mutually, and tenir, to hold.