(NA) Ask as a noun?

azure

azure

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azure
Okay, this is going to be a strange ask.

That's what I'm talking about.

Using the word "ask" as a noun.

How long has it been going on?

I first noticed it about 2 years ago, on a blog. I assumed it was the blogger's neologism, or else a mistake. Maybe he was really talking about snakes and misspelled... well okay, it was just a thought. Anyway I paid little attention to it.

Then I started noticing it more and more. Do you have an ask for me? That's a really great ask! Last week I even heard it on NPR.

I threw out my last print dictionary to save on packing space when I moved, so I no longer can check that venerable source. Neither merriam-webster online nor dictionary.com have an entry for ask as a noun. Wiktionary does. Someone asking the same question online a few years ago said that wiktionary didn't have it, so I assume it's a recent addition.

So I thought I'd throw it out there, as an "ask" <shudder>. What does everyone think? Is it common usage? Do you see it much? Have I just been living under a rock -- or a bridge? (See what I did there?)
 
I've heard it off and on over the last ten years or so, but never used it. It always comes off as pretentious to me, not sure why.
 
I haven't come across that one yet. But another new language thing that is driving me bonkers is the wrong use of "to" when "from" is correct.

For example, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is different to the Striped Bark Scorpion.

ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! FROM! It's different FROM something, not To it!! OMG!!! What is wrong with you people!??
 
And of course, the way to deal with an 'ask' would be to 'action' it.
 
I used to be under the illusion that the dictionary was pretty much in stone. And I'm not talking about new tech words (computers, the internet and all its jargon). When I was young we never ever said "ain't". Then it became so popular a word that it suddenly appeared in the dictionary. Have lost all respect.
 
Rushie said:
I haven't come across that one yet. But another new language thing that is driving me bonkers is the wrong use of "to" when "from" is correct.

For example, the Arizona Bark Scorpion is different to the Striped Bark Scorpion.

ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!! FROM! It's different FROM something, not To it!! OMG!!! What is wrong with you people!??
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Usually the question is "different than" vs "different from" at which point I pull out my tattered copy of Strunk & White.
 
murphey said:
Usually the question is "different than" vs "different from" at which point I pull out my tattered copy of Strunk & White.
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Either than or from are more appropriate than "to". Where does this come from? It's all over the place now.
 
Just stupid biz-jargon that turns into cliche as soon as it's used.
 
Got the "what's the ask on this?" overload last year on weekly change control board review meetings. Grew weary and then numb to it.
 
I've heard this used in the context of fundraising.
 
This is the first I've heard of it.
 
gkainz said:
Got the "what's the ask on this?" overload last year on weekly change control board review meetings. Grew weary and then numb to it.
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"What do you mean by 'ask' ?" Watch the pointy heads explode.
 
About the past five years, it grates on my nerves every time too.
 
The OED has it and it goes back a very long time according to their usage information.

Frankly, I only ever really heard it when you were talking about stock trades (ask and bid).
 
azure said:
I threw out my last print dictionary to save on packing space when I moved, so I no longer can check that venerable source. Neither merriam-webster online nor dictionary.com have an entry for ask as a noun. Wiktionary does. Someone asking the same question online a few years ago said that wiktionary didn't have it, so I assume it's a recent addition.
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I'll send you my dictionary. It defines "spaceship" as an imaginary vehicle designed for interplanetary travel......
 
I suppose if a book can be a 'good read' then a pointed question can be a 'good ask.'
 
I use it all the time. If it grates, it's working. :p It's an abbreviated sentence, which is probably better stated as, "What are you asking of me?"
 
The only time I've ever heard it used as a noun is when someone has asked another to do something pretty major, and they might say "that's a pretty big ask."

Never heard it used any other way.
 
Shouldn't it be an "aks?!"
 
rtk11 said:
I use it all the time. If it grates, it's working. :p It's an abbreviated sentence, which is probably better stated as, "What are you asking of me?"
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Hear it all the time, corp speak, so irritating. Not sure how irritating is working. What is wrong with saying 'request'? Usually request would fit in the sentence.
 
RJM62 said:
It's been used that way for quite a while in the securities markets.

Rich
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Although in that context, "ask" is a specific proper name for a seller's minimum price.
 
exncsurfer said:
Not sure how irritating is working.
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Maybe if hearing "what's your ask?" sounds as stupid and annoying as it does, then the person making the "ask" will just walk away without asking for anything at all. Works out well for the jerk saying it. Not so much for the person needing something.
 
How about people that say "funner" or "most favorite". Drives me up a wall.
 
exncsurfer said:
Not sure how irritating is working. What is wrong with saying 'request'?
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Cajun_Flyer said:
Works out well for the jerk saying it.
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Hmmm... was I just called out for being a jerk? :p

Irritating works when you're being aggressive (or passive aggressive) negotiating with equally aggressive and annoying Information Technology providers, particularly some cloud-based service providers. I play well negotiating contracts with most, but some just need that "special touch." ;)
 
RJM62 said:
It's been used that way for quite a while in the securities markets.

Rich
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As in "asking price"? That makes sense, and I think I've heard it that way in similar contexts. But as a synonym for "question" or "request"? That's new to me... apparently not to some though. I've seen references that date it to the 1980s...

Edit... I think what I've heard isn't "ask" as a noun but "asking"... as in, what's your asking?
Still, that's language for you...

I wonder how long it will be before Merriam-Webster has an entry for "loose" as a variant spelling for "lose"? ;)
 
islandboy said:
Shouldn't it be an "aks?!"
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Another thing I learned while doing some online research on this is that "aks" as a variant of "ask" was actually a common form used in writing down to about 1600, when it was apparently supplanted by "ask". Must have been just before Shakespeare started writing, as I don't think that spelling is ever used in his plays (but it's been a long time since I've read Shakespeare, so I could be wrong).
 
RJM62 said:
It's been used that way for quite a while in the securities markets.

Rich
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I've always assumed that was just a shortened version (no pun intended) of "ask[ing price]".

Traders shorten everything...

"What's the ask?"
 
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