To Joy or not to joy. . .

[Nana]

That is my question!

Everywhere I travel on the net, particularly within forums, people use this expression:
"If no <font color=red>joy</font color=red>. . ."

It always seems to be used in a negative manner - <font color=red>"no joy"</font color=red>. I've never seen anyone say that they <font color=red>"have joy"</font color=red>.

What is <font color=red>JOY</font color=red>? Is it a synonym for luck or happiness? Is it an acronym? Standing for? Is there a fascinating history of its use? Or, is it just plain boring & mean exactly what it says - bad grammar and all?

This is something that I've wondered about for a long time. I've finally decided to show my ignorance and ask.
This question doesn't belong in any of these forums, so I randomly chose IE as most people look in here eventually.
Thank you for the assistance.

Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[Andy-S]

Nana,

Here's the definition of joy as both a noun and a verb. Hope it reduces your joylessness.

Main Entry: 1joy
Pronunciation: 'joi
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French joie, from Latin gaudia, plural of gaudium, from gaudEre to rejoice; probably akin to Greek gEthein to rejoice
Date: 13th century
1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : DELIGHT b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY
2 : a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS
3 : a source or cause of delight
- joy.less /-l&s/ adjective
- joy.less.ly adverb
- joy.less.ness noun

Main Entry: 2joy
Function: verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive senses : to experience great pleasure or delight : REJOICE
transitive senses
1 archaic : GLADDEN
2 archaic : ENJOY


Cheers
Andy

[Nana]

Andy,

Thank you for that - I think? I'm a little low on gaiety, felicity and bliss at the moment, but I don't think I'm quite at joylessness - yet!

I trust your answer is more tongue in cheek than my question??? I really am wondering who started using <font color=red>JOY</font color=red> with regard to a computer.

Nana /images/forums/icons/laugh.gif

[BertImmenschuh]

Don't know about when using joy and computers got started but years ago the phrase 'no joy' was used in radio communications when contact could not be made when calling another station. In those days the word joy wasn't used for anything and when saying 'no joy' it meant things were not working as they should. Also was used when asking someone if they spotted or made contact with someone else or an object. The word joy was not confused with any other word or phrase. Clarity in communications was key.

[Nana]

Bert,

Thank you, sir. That's exactly what I wanted to know. This means it falls under my category of 'interesting history'. Now I know how to be clear in communicating, too.

With that in mind - I am full of <font color=red>JOY</font color=red> because I know the answer!

Blissfully,
Nana /images/forums/icons/wink.gif