Word-Built World: ship

From Dictionary.com:

ship

[ ship ] 

verb 

to take an interest in or hope for a romantic relationship between (fictional characters or famous people), whether or not the romance actually exists: I’m shipping for those guys—they would make a great couple!

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF SHIP?

The verb ship, originally meaning “to discuss or portray a romantic couple in fiction, especially in a serial” is a shortening of (relation)ship and dates only from 1996

{back to me} I’m quite amazed at this usage. I mean, what about:

Ship: verb (1) shipped; shipping; ships. transitive verb. : to place or receive on board a ship for transportation by water.4 days ago

Link: https://www.merriam-webster.com › …

But to be fair to Webster, they have this new usage along with a number of others. 

I just don’t read enough reviews of romance novels. From today’s NY Times Book Review, in a column on such novels: “[a certain book is especially] recommended for anyone who ships Janie and Gregory from “Abbott Elementary.”

Word built world, indeed!

Michael 

(Submitted by Michael Kelly, H.W.)

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