Seems like the same thing to me. I think the person saying it’s the first of its kind is wrong, but it would still be equally bizarre if people were addressing their “listeners” in normal conversation.
Yeah, it would be weird to say ‘listeners’ when talking to a group. But social conventions and language shifts. “chat” has established itself for pretty obvious reasons, so I’m not surprised to see it catch on in the physical world. It’s a bit like people saying ‘lol’ in person was super weird at first, but isn’t that weird any more.
Also, I don’t think it is anywhere near as weird as how politicians address what they are saying to “Mr. Speaker” when they are clearly actually not talking to that person at all.
Is it really that different than saying “Audience”? Or radio shows referring to “listeners”? Etc.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Friends
Guys
[To the] Saints in Ephesus
Gentlemen of the jury
Kids!
Class
Respected Members of the Lemeritus Comment Section Elle
[the] House
Seems like the same thing to me. I think the person saying it’s the first of its kind is wrong, but it would still be equally bizarre if people were addressing their “listeners” in normal conversation.
Lemmings, do you agree? ;)
Be sure to smash that blue arrow, and follow on Kbin.
Yeah, it would be weird to say ‘listeners’ when talking to a group. But social conventions and language shifts. “chat” has established itself for pretty obvious reasons, so I’m not surprised to see it catch on in the physical world. It’s a bit like people saying ‘lol’ in person was super weird at first, but isn’t that weird any more.
Also, I don’t think it is anywhere near as weird as how politicians address what they are saying to “Mr. Speaker” when they are clearly actually not talking to that person at all.
Or “y’all”
Saying “chat” to address a group or room full of people isn’t different at all from addressing them as “y’all”
All y’all more specifically
Regional differences :)
Except y’all is a second person plural, and I think ‘chat’ here is still functioning as a noun.