share

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share is a watered down verb that's used on the "social web" (and other platforms like Google's Android) to mean pretty much any action. "Share" buttons no longer actually mean "share" (perhaps originally they were a synonym for post, repost, or send). "Share" buttons have become nothing more than a

  • ( Do Something ) button

or if you have something selected or some other present content context, a

  • ( Do Something With This ) button

devoid of any actual meaning. In this regard, "share" is merely a social web bulshytt term.

See longer explanation:

Examples

Examples of specific sites (mis)using "share" and thus diluting its meaning.

Inappropriate (dilution)

ShareThis

The ShareThis site and button may have been the beginning of the dilution / meaninglessness of "share". Simply try the button on their own site, look at the options, and it covers all kinds of things far beyond the original Facebook "share" meaning:

  • save - to Instapaper, Evernote, etc.
  • send - email
  • publishing - on various sites

Google Android

Install nearly any app on Android and it will add itself to the "Share" menu no matter what its primary action is. Whether saving, sending, publishing, every app now claims to "Share". Screenshots of particularly abusive/diluted/expanded "Share" menus on Android would be helpful.

Appropriate (as per definition to tell others)

Flickr

Facebook


Twitter

Others

UI

Icons

Because share has become meaningless, the icons to represent "share" have also diverged.

iOS

iOS6 and earlier used an "outgoing tray with arrow arcing right" icon