Morrie the Toupee Salesman

Sometimes I get slightly crotchety over word usage, probably more than I should. But when I see something written by someone who probably thinks of themselves as a professional journalist, I guess I expect more. So when someone writes:

“But Windows Live Spaces doesn’t have the cutting-edge user interface or the Web 2.0 cache that Flickr has.”

in a large, reputable publication like wired.com, well I want to whip out a dictionary and start hitting them with it.

From dictionary.com:

cache:
- noun
1. a hiding place, esp. one in the ground, for ammunition, food, treasures, etc.: She hid her jewelry in a little cache in the cellar.
2. anything so hidden: The enemy never found our cache of food.
3. (Alaska and Northern Canada) a small shed elevated on poles above the reach of animals and used for storing food, equipment, etc.
…

and the word they really wanted:

cachet:
- noun
1. an official seal, as on a letter or document.
2. a distinguishing mark or feature; stamp: Courtesy is the cachet of good breeding.
3. a sign or expression of approval, esp. from a person who has a great deal of prestige.
4. superior status; prestige: The job has a certain cachet.
5. Pharmacology. a hollow wafer for enclosing an ill-tasting medicine.
6. Philately. a firm name, slogan, or design stamped or printed on an envelope or folded letter.

I sometimes wonder about the state of the US educational system.