“Performant” is not a word
“Performant” is not a word – Jeff Boulter's Blog


			
				

	

	
				Well actually it is, but it’s not what you think, even though it should be. 
At one point I thought I invented the word ‘performant’ as a term to mean “performs acceptably” or “it’s really fast!!” kinda like ‘compliant’. But then I noticed other people I didn’t know were using it too. 
The only problem is that it’s not a word. One dictionary defines it as “a performer” like in a play. That’s clearly not what we mean, but it makes sense. There’s even a company with Performant in their name, though they don’t seem to have anything to do with high performance.
So what’s a renegade linguist to do? Just keep on using performant. Eventually the dictionaries will catch on. Hey, if Doh can make it, surely performant should have a place.
In related news, Wired has finally decided to stop capitalizing ‘internet’. Did you hear that, AP?
			

	




				

	

					
	

			
			