the meaning of "selfie"

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

I know selfies are the photos of you taken by yourself. However, does it also mean "the act of taking photos of yourself"?

I happended to read an article titled "More people die from selfies than shark attacks" In this case "selfies" seems to refer to the act of taking selfies rather than the photos themselves.

Thank you

OP

Read more: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1509/150926-selfies.html#ixzz3te9PZPqE

 

[teechar]

A selfie is a photo taken by someone of themselves.
I was surprised to see that it has already made its way to the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries. :-|
I hope I'll never have to resort to using that word in a meaningful sentence.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/selfie
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/selfie

 

[MikeNewYork]

It does not refer to an action...yet.

 

[tzfujimino]

I think it's just the author's attempt to make the title catchy.

 

[Skrej]

Dear all,

I know selfies are the photos of you taken by yourself. However, does it also mean "the act of taking photos of yourself"?

I happened to read an article titled "More people die from selfies than shark attacks" In this case "selfies" seems to refer to the act of taking selfies rather than the photos themselves.

It's still being used as a noun here. Selfies (pictures) are killing more people than sharks.

Just like you might say 'More people die from lightening than heart attacks'[SUP]*[/SUP].


[SUP]*[/SUP]Statistically inaccurate - just an example

 

[Tarheel]

What is being said is that people in the act of taking selfies are getting themselves killed. They are engaging in risky behavior. What happens when you engage in risky behavior is that you might get injured or killed.

 

[Skrej]

Err - I was referring to liposuction. Or skin bleaching. Or labor. Those all lighten and kill, too. :lying:

Yeah, that's what I meant.