Medical terms That Go Wider

I wrote something for another blog about how the word "viral" which originally was related only to viruses, but now describes content that spreads rapidly online. But there are a good number of words that started as medical terminology but have now gone wider than their original medical usage. Most of them are a very close metaphorical usage to the original usage. 

Trauma Originally: Physical injury or psychological damage. Now: Used broadly to describe emotional distress, e.g., “That breakup was traumatic.”

Fever Originally: Elevated body temperature due to illness. Now: Used metaphorically, like “Bieber fever” or “football fever.”

Inflammation Originally: Swelling and redness due to infection or injury. Now: Used in wellness circles to describe chronic health issues or even emotional states.

Contagious Originally: Easily spread disease. Now: Used for ideas, moods, or behaviors. "Her laughter is contagious.”

Diagnosis Originally: Identification of a disease. Now: Used for identifying problems in general. “The diagnosis is poor time management.”

Symptoms Originally: Signs of illness. Now: Used to describe signs of any issue. “The symptoms of burnout are clear.”

Addiction Originally: Compulsive drug use. Now: Used for anything habit-forming. “I’m addicted to this show.”

Obsessed / OCD Originally: Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Now: Often used casually to describe intense interest or perfectionism.

Depressed / Depression Originally: Clinical mental health condition. Now: Used to describe temporary sadness or disappointment.

Bowling for Soup, Sh*t, Dollars and Columbine

The band Bowling for Soup's name originates from a Steve Martin comedy routine, specifically a skit called "Bowling for Shit" from his 1978 album, "Wild and Crazy Guy." 

The band, formed in 1994, initially considered using Martin's title but ultimately opted for Bowling for Soup as a more family-friendly alternative. The "Bowling for Soup" name stuck, despite being initially intended as a joke, because the band couldn't agree on anything better.

Bowling for Soup formed in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1994. The band consists of Jaret Reddick (lead vocals, guitar), Gary Wiseman (drums, percussion), and Rob Felicetti (bass, backing vocals, acoustic guitar). The band is best known for its singles "Girl All the Bad Guys Want", "1985", "Almost", "Punk Rock 101", and "High School Never Ends". The band is also known for performing the theme song for the Disney Channel animated series Phineas and Ferb, which is a bit surprising as most of their albums carry warning labels for language.  Reddick is the only original member as of 2025

Steve Martin was playing off an actual TV game show called Bowling for Dollars in which people could bowl to win cash and prizes. The show was popular in the 1960s and peaked in the 1970s. It was unique in that it differed from most TV game shows of the time, which were taped in either New York or Hollywood and broadcast nationally. Unlike these shows, Bowling for Dollars was produced by local TV stations and featured contestants from the immediate area. The show was actually a franchise, created by Bert Claster of Claster Television, also the creator of Romper Room. Episodes of Bowling for Dollars were taped either in a local bowling alley or on a pair of bowling lanes constructed right inside the TV studio. The show reached its heyday in the 1970s. 

Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary film written, produced, directed, and narrated by Michael Moore. The documentary film explores what Moore suggests are the primary causes for the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and other acts of gun violence. 

The film's title refers to the story that the two students responsible for the Columbine High School massacre attended a school bowling class at 6:00 AM on the day they committed the attacks at school. Later investigations showed that this was based on mistaken recollections, and it was concluded that they were absent from school on the day the attack took place.

A critical and commercial success, the film brought Moore international attention as a rising filmmaker and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature, a special 55th Anniversary Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, and the César Award for Best Foreign Film. The film is widely considered one of the greatest documentary films of all time.

Oasis

Oasis' Liam and Noel Gallagher      Photo: Will Fresch | CC BY-SA 2.0 

I see that the troubled band Oasis is back on tour this summer. Lead vocalist Liam Gallagher and his brother, guitarist Noel Gallagher, are quite a story. 

But first, a bit about the band name origin. The band was originally called The Rain and only featured one of the Gallagher brothers (Liam on vocals). Noel later joined, and it was then suggested by Liam that they change their name to Oasis.

Noel had a tour poster for the band Inspiral Carpets hanging on his bedroom wall. One venue for a gig was the Swindon Oasis Leisure Centre. Noel liked the word "Oasis" because it evoked a sense of a welcoming, idyllic place, which fit the band's aspirations at the time for their music.

But their history is hardly idyllic. The Gallagher brothers' tumultuous relationship is well-documented. Liam's on-stage antics often clashed with Noel's perfectionism, leading to heated arguments and physical altercations.

Noel, the primary songwriter, wanted to push the band's sound in new directions, while Liam preferred a more traditional rock approach.

Both brothers struggled with substance abuse, which further strained their relationship and impacted the band's performances.

Oasis's touring schedule and recording process were often marked by chaos, with canceled shows, delayed album releases, and reports of on-tour substance abuse.

In 2009, Noel Gallagher officially left Oasis due to "irreconcilable differences" with his brother. The remaining band members attempted to continue under the name Beady Eye, but ultimately disbanded in 2014. The brothers' feud continued even after the band's breakup, with both sides engaging in public jabs and insults. 

However, in recent years, they've seemed to call a truce, with Liam and Noel reportedly having a more cordial relationship.

Despite their internal struggles, Oasis released several critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, including (What's the Story) Morning Glory? and Be Here Now, and a bigger catalog of collections and remastered albums.