Neologism include "laser" (1960) from Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, "robotics" (1941), "agitprop" (1930). The term "neologism" is first attested in English in 1772, borrowed from French "néologisme" (1734). A proponent of a new word or doctrine may be called a neologist. Neologists might study cultural and ethnic vernacular. The term "neologism" has a broader meaning that includes not only "an entirely new lexical item" but also an existing word whose meaning has been altered. Sometimes, the latter process is called "semantic shifting", or "semantic extension". Neologisms are distinct from a person's "idiolect", one's unique patterns of vocabulary, grammar,
Maser slightly since its introduction. Initially the acronym was universally given as "microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation", which described devices which emitted in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The principle and concept of stimulated emission has since been extended to more devices and frequencies. Thus, the original acronym is sometimes modified, as suggested by Charles H. Townes, to ""molecular" amplification by stimulated emission of radiation." Some have asserted that Townes's efforts to extend the acronym in this way were primarily motivated by the desire to increase the importance of his invention, and his reputation in the scientific