Reputation

The term Reputation has a long way in history dating back to the 15th century. It's meaning taken from Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is, "computation, consideration, of action." It's root word, Repute, means an opinion or estimate. In it's earliest history, Reputation is used an opinion or view of one about something.

In C1380, it is noted that reputation is actually "reputacion." In 1386,"He is, as by commune opinion, Yholde the lasse in reputacion." He's (the subject here) reputation, is held or determine by opinion. In C1533, "They..traytorously beleeued in their hartes, that the kinge..was no lenger rightfull king of this realme, in the reputacion of almightie god." Here it clearly shows that the king is no longer an "opinion" or supposedly an representation of God.
In addition,in c1440, "He shall be in Reputacion as a fool," indicates that "he" is the fool or supposedly the fool by opinion.

However, in 1563, reputacion transits to reputation. The term reputation essentially meant an account or estimation of a thing. 1563, "They seem to take the multitude for 'vile souls'..of whose loss or safe-guard no reputation is to be had." Used again in 1613 in PURCHAS Pilgrimage III. v., Such reputation haue they of this forme, which they call a Prayer.., That [etc.]." Here we can see that reputation is being used as an account for prayer.

As early as the late 1500's and early 1600, Reputation takes on a more general meaning: A person's honor or credit. One's good name and good opinion of one's name. Thus here, we see, in 1617 by MORYSON, "The yong man..to save the reputation of the Virgin, confessed, that he came to rob the house." The young man's confession to save the reputation of the virgin clearly indicates the relationship between the need to clarify someone's reputation and the importance of the good name. Consequently, the virgin's honor is her reputation.

In the 1600, Reputation has taken on as the "common or general estimate of a person with respect to character or other qualities."

In the 1800's we see another shift of meaning to: "The estimation, credit, or ascription of being or possessing something." In other words, one possession inexplicitly, whether non-intentional or intentional, contributes to one's reputation. In 1832, "It will do no good to remove the chest, now that I have the reputation of having one." One's possession of the chest is inscribed in one's reputation. One is now known for having that chest. Now by removing that chest, one's reputation stays the same because the fact that one's possession of the chest is already inscribed. In, "1873 BLACK Pr. Thule xxi states, "He had the reputation of being able to get through his work thoroughly. Thus, this individual has the credit and consistent reliability to work throughly and is known for it. The individual's reputationis then, "his consistency to perform throughly.

Other words that share the same keyword but in a different context are reputable and reputative. According to OED Reputable means, "Capable of being regarded or taken into account." Thus, if one is reputable, one must be capable enough to receive invitations to exclusive parties or included in the guest list of some sort. Thus, the difference between reputation and being reputable is that everyone has a reputation. But whether it is a reputable is another question. Some reputations are not reputable. The other term, reputative, means, "Considered or regarded as such." Or in other words like Reputation, Reputative means considered as or supposed as. For example, the CEO of Yahoo! is reputative to the head of the company.


When one mention Reputation, I personally think is a level of confidence and assurance in which others perceive our identity. Other keywords we discussed in class such as Representation and Ideology may be relevant to Reputation. Like stated previously, Reputation is essentially a general opinion of a person due to their character or qualities. Representation is a representative of a thing or person. Thus, one's representation of another can contribute to their reputation. For example, Christy works for Google as a Graphic Desginer. She represents Google by attending seminars and deliver speeches in regards to Google's new innovative studies and missions. Consequently, others perceive Christy as a representative of Google and assume that she agrees with Google's values and ideas. Thus, Christy's involvement with Google is part of her reputation.

Relating Reputation to our group project, Ideology is another keyword that comes up. On AmericanSingles.com many individuals create their own identity through a series of questions and fill-in boxes. The identity they create is their representation of themselves. In return, the number of flirts, messages, comments, Hot-lists, and emails they receive contributes to their reputation. Thus, this may motivate them to involve themselves into the site to the extent that they can receive an substantial amount of recognition.