The word “play” comes up when accessing music, on streaming services, and, constantly, with video games.
Play is pervasive: an actor plays a role; the ump yells “Play ball!”; a golfer plays through.
We even apply “play” to sex: a “playa’” plays the field, looking not for love and commitment but to score. If we object, we’re reminded to “hate the playa’, not the game.”
Play, which we associate with entertainment, is very serious business, with the video game market alone expected to top $20 billion this year, according to business analysis company Statista.