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AMERICAN AMERICAN POP LANGUAGEPOP LANGUAGE

by Don L. F. Nilsenby Don L. F. Nilsen

and Alleen Pace Nilsen and Alleen Pace Nilsen

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AMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY WORDSAMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY WORDS

The American Dialect Society gives awards The American Dialect Society gives awards in the following categories:in the following categories:

Most UsefulMost Useful Most CreativeMost Creative Most UnnecessaryMost Unnecessary Most EuphemisticMost Euphemistic Most OutrageousMost Outrageous Best Tom-Cruise-Related Word (2006)Best Tom-Cruise-Related Word (2006) Best Pluto-Related Word (2007)Best Pluto-Related Word (2007) Most Likely to SucceedMost Likely to Succeed Least Likely to SucceedLeast Likely to Succeed Word of the YearWord of the Year

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As we discuss the runners up and As we discuss the runners up and the winners in each of these the winners in each of these categories ask yourself these categories ask yourself these questions:questions:

1). Have I heard the word before?1). Have I heard the word before? 2). What does the word mean? 2). What does the word mean? 3). Is the word negative or 3). Is the word negative or

positive in connotation?positive in connotation? 4). What does the word show 4). What does the word show

about our changing culture? about our changing culture?

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Most UsefulMost Useful

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: lifehacklifehack (making (making day-to-day behaviors more day-to-day behaviors more efficient), efficient), truthinesstruthiness (seeing (seeing facts in terms of what you want facts in terms of what you want to believe), to believe), patent troll patent troll (patent (patent designed for lawsuits against designed for lawsuits against patent infringement)patent infringement)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: podcastpodcast (i- (i-Pod + broadcast)Pod + broadcast)

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Most CreativeMost Creative

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: pinosaurpinosaur (very old (very old pine tree), pine tree), muffin topmuffin top (bulge of fat (bulge of fat hanging over low-rider jeans), hanging over low-rider jeans), flee-flee-ancancéeée (runaway bride Jennifer (runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks)Wilbanks)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: whale tail whale tail ((thong or g-string underwear above thong or g-string underwear above the waistband of pants, shorts, or a the waistband of pants, shorts, or a skirt)skirt)

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Most UnnecessaryMost Unnecessary

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: man dateman date (heterosexual (heterosexual men doing something together), men doing something together), pope-squattingpope-squatting (registering a domain (registering a domain name that is the same as that of a name that is the same as that of a new pope before the pope chooses new pope before the pope chooses his new name)his new name)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: BreniferBrenifer (Britney (Britney Spears and Kevin Federline)Spears and Kevin Federline)

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Most OutrageousMost Outrageous

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: WhizzinatorWhizzinator (realistic (realistic prosthetic penis for passing drug prosthetic penis for passing drug tests), tests), Bumper NutzBumper Nutz (fake testicles (fake testicles hung from rear end of vehicle), hung from rear end of vehicle), Ex-Lax Ex-Lax OptionOption (1. nuclear option, 2. total (1. nuclear option, 2. total withdrawl of troops)withdrawl of troops)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: crotchfruitcrotchfruit (a (a child or children [used by proponents child or children [used by proponents of child-free public spaces])of child-free public spaces])

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Most EuphemisticMost Euphemistic

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: holistic practitioner holistic practitioner (prostitute), VBIED (Vehicle Borne (prostitute), VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device), Improvised Explosive Device), holiday holiday tree tree (Christmas tree), (Christmas tree), extraordinary extraordinary rendition rendition (sending prisoners (sending prisoners oversees)oversees)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: internal internal nutrition (nutrition (force-feeding a prisoner force-feeding a prisoner against his or her will)against his or her will)

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Best Tom-Cruise-Related Word (2005)Best Tom-Cruise-Related Word (2005)

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: TomKatTomKat (Tom (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes), Cruise and Katie Holmes), CruisazyCruisazy (crazy like Tom Cruise) (crazy like Tom Cruise)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: jump the jump the couch (couch (strange or frenetic strange or frenetic behavior, inspired by Tom behavior, inspired by Tom Cruise’s couch jumping on the Cruise’s couch jumping on the Oprah Winfrey talk show)Oprah Winfrey talk show)

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Most Likely to SucceedMost Likely to Succeed

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: podcastpodcast (iPod + (iPod + broadcast), broadcast), Cyber MondayCyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving), (Monday after Thanksgiving), folksonomyfolksonomy (taxonomy of folks) (taxonomy of folks)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: sudokusudoku (a (a number puzzle with each row or number puzzle with each row or column containing only one column containing only one instance of each number 1-9)instance of each number 1-9)

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Least Likely to SucceedLeast Likely to Succeed

RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: metrospiritualmetrospiritual (cosmopolitan view of (cosmopolitan view of spirituality), spirituality), CruiselexCruiselex (all Tom- (all Tom-Cruise-related words), Cruise-related words), BrangelinaBrangelina (Brad Pitt and (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie)Angelina Jolie)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: pope-pope-squattingsquatting

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2005 WORD OF THE YEAR2005 WORD OF THE YEAR RUNNERS UP: RUNNERS UP: CruiselexCruiselex, , Heck of a jobHeck of a job

(phrase by President Bush), (phrase by President Bush), brown-brown-outout (poor handling of an emergency), (poor handling of an emergency), and and disaster industrial complexdisaster industrial complex (businesses who make a profit by (businesses who make a profit by providing emergency services, providing emergency services, especially those that result in no-bid especially those that result in no-bid contracts)contracts)

AND THE WINNER IS: AND THE WINNER IS: truthinesstruthiness (from (from Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report”)Stephen Colbert’s “Colbert Report”)

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SLAM DUNKS AND NO BRAINERSSLAM DUNKS AND NO BRAINERS

In 2005, Leslie Savan published a In 2005, Leslie Savan published a book entitled book entitled Slam Dunks and No Slam Dunks and No BrainersBrainers. .

The subtitle of the book is The subtitle of the book is Language in Your Life, the Language in Your Life, the Media, Business, Politics, and Media, Business, Politics, and Like, WhateverLike, Whatever..

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OPENERS:OPENERS: Hey!Hey!

What’s happenin’?What’s happenin’?

What’s up?What’s up?

What’s up, Dude?What’s up, Dude?

T’sup, Dawg?T’sup, Dawg?

‘‘Sup, Bro?Sup, Bro?

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CONTINUERSCONTINUERS So? So?

Make my day. Make my day.

It could happen. It could happen.

No way. No way. Way.Way.

Whatever. Whatever.

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SOMETHING IS REPETITIOUSSOMETHING IS REPETITIOUS

Blah blah blah.Blah blah blah.

Same old, same old. Same old, same old.

Yadda yadda yadda.Yadda yadda yadda.

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SOMETHING IS FRUSTRATINGSOMETHING IS FRUSTRATING

I hate when that happens. I hate when that happens.

I’m having a bad hair day.I’m having a bad hair day.

What was I thinking?What was I thinking?

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OLD SLANG STILL IN USEOLD SLANG STILL IN USE Been there. Done that.Been there. Done that. He’s history.He’s history. the bottom linethe bottom line Chill out!Chill out! Go for it.Go for it. Something is hot.Something is hot. to dis someoneto dis someone to push someone’s buttonsto push someone’s buttons under the radarunder the radar 24/724/7 Do the math!Do the math! Gimme a break!Gimme a break!

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CRITICAL REACTIONS CRITICAL REACTIONS

Excuse me!Excuse me! Hello! Hello! Duh! Duh! Eat my shorts!Eat my shorts! That’s That’s soso five minutes ago five minutes ago You just don’t get it.You just don’t get it. That sucks.That sucks. Yeah, Right.Yeah, Right. WTFWTF

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MORE CRITICAL REACTIONS MORE CRITICAL REACTIONS

I don’t think so.I don’t think so. Get over it.Get over it. Not ready for Prime Time.Not ready for Prime Time. Signed L on forehead for (Loser)Signed L on forehead for (Loser) I’m your worst nightmare.I’m your worst nightmare. Don’t go there! Don’t go there!

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STILL MORE CRITICAL REACTIONSSTILL MORE CRITICAL REACTIONS

As if…As if… Like…Like… Puh…leezPuh…leez Talk to the hand, girlfriendTalk to the hand, girlfriend That blows.That blows. And a common critical reaction And a common critical reaction

to the media:to the media: ““If it Bleeds, it Leads!”If it Bleeds, it Leads!”

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GROUP IDENTIFIERSGROUP IDENTIFIERS

bling wearersbling wearers icies (fancy jewelry)icies (fancy jewelry) glitteratiglitterati red states, blue states, purple red states, blue states, purple

statesstates yuppienessyuppieness special clothing, cars and hair special clothing, cars and hair

stylesstyles

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TEXT MESSAGING TEXT MESSAGING SMILIES & ACRONYMSSMILIES & ACRONYMS

pos (parent over shoulder)pos (parent over shoulder) tmi (too much information)tmi (too much information) tldr (too long, didn’t read)tldr (too long, didn’t read) utsl (use the source, Luke)utsl (use the source, Luke) (funny) (funny) (sad) (sad) lol (laughing out loud)lol (laughing out loud) lmao (laughing my ass off)lmao (laughing my ass off) roflmao (rolling on the floor laughing roflmao (rolling on the floor laughing

my ass off)my ass off)

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STRONG AFFIRMATIONSSTRONG AFFIRMATIONS

Hua! Hua! Hua! (marines; an Hua! Hua! Hua! (marines; an acronym for “Heard, acronym for “Heard, Understood, Acknowledged”)Understood, Acknowledged”)

Ka-ching!Ka-ching!

Yessss! Yessss!

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SOME RECENT BUZZWORDS:SOME RECENT BUZZWORDS:

Blahger: A blogger whose message Blahger: A blogger whose message consists of “blah-blah-blah.”consists of “blah-blah-blah.”

Cellular Macarena: When a cellular Cellular Macarena: When a cellular phone rings and everyone starts phone rings and everyone starts reaching into his coat, pants, purse to reaching into his coat, pants, purse to answer itanswer it

Dixie-Chicked: To be reviled or Dixie-Chicked: To be reviled or boycotted for voicing an unpopular boycotted for voicing an unpopular political sentimentpolitical sentiment

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!! Job Spill: When work cuts into your Job Spill: When work cuts into your

personal timepersonal time

Payroll Orphan: Someone who has lost Payroll Orphan: Someone who has lost his or her jobhis or her job

Up-Titling: Giving people an Up-Titling: Giving people an impressive title instead of a raiseimpressive title instead of a raise

YOYO: “You’re On Your Own” from YOYO: “You’re On Your Own” from text messagingtext messaging

Mesa TribuneMesa Tribune 10/8/2006, D9 10/8/2006, D9

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!!CLOSERS !!CLOSERS

It’s a no brainer. It’s a no brainer. Puhleeze. Puhleeze. … … Not.Not. Throwing a hissyfit. Throwing a hissyfit. It’s a slam dunk. It’s a slam dunk. I’m outta here!I’m outta here!

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!!!POP CULTURE WEB SITES!!!POP CULTURE WEB SITES

*AMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY:*AMERICAN DIALECT SOCIETY:http://americandialect.org/http://americandialect.org/

Encyclopedia of 20th Century American Humor. http://www.greenwood.com/catalog/OXHUMOR.aspx

*THOMAS FRIEDMAN: *THOMAS FRIEDMAN: The World is FlatThe World is Flat::http://www.amazon.com/World-Flat-History-Twenty-fhttp://www.amazon.com/World-Flat-History-Twenty-first-Century/dp/0374292884irst-Century/dp/0374292884

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References # 1:References # 1:

Friedman, Thomas. Friedman, Thomas. The World is Flat: A Brief History of The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Centurythe Twenty-First Century. New York, NY: Farrar, . New York, NY: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2006 Strauss and Giroux, 2006

Gale, Steven H., ed. Gale, Steven H., ed. Encyclopedia of American Encyclopedia of American HumoristsHumorists. New York, NY: Garland, 1988.. New York, NY: Garland, 1988.

Inge, M. Thomas. Inge, M. Thomas. American HumorAmerican Humor. New York, NY: . New York, NY: Oxford Univ Press, 1978.Oxford Univ Press, 1978.

Inge, M. Thomas. Inge, M. Thomas. Anything Can Happen in a Comic Anything Can Happen in a Comic Strip: Centennial Reflections on an American Art Strip: Centennial Reflections on an American Art FormForm. Jackson, MS: University of Mississippi Press, . Jackson, MS: University of Mississippi Press, 1995.1995.

Inge, M. Thomas. Inge, M. Thomas. Comics as CultureComics as Culture. Jackson, MS: Univ . Jackson, MS: Univ Press of Mississippi, 1990.Press of Mississippi, 1990.

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References # 2:References # 2:

Inge, M. Thomas. Inge, M. Thomas. Perspectivds on American Culture: Perspectivds on American Culture: Essays on Humor, Literature, and the Popular ArtsEssays on Humor, Literature, and the Popular Arts. . Cornwall, CT: Locust Hill Press, 1994.Cornwall, CT: Locust Hill Press, 1994.

Metcalf, Allan, Wayne Glowka, Grant Barrett and David Metcalf, Allan, Wayne Glowka, Grant Barrett and David Barnhart. “Barnhart. “Truthiness Voted 2005 Word of the Year by Truthiness Voted 2005 Word of the Year by American Dialect SocietyAmerican Dialect Society. Press Release by the . Press Release by the American Dialect Society, January 6, 2006.American Dialect Society, January 6, 2006.

Peckham, Aaron. Peckham, Aaron. Urban Dictionary: Fularious Street Urban Dictionary: Fularious Street Slang DefinedSlang Defined. Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, . Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel, 2005.2005.

Savan, Leslie. Savan, Leslie. Slam Dunks and No Brainers: Language in Slam Dunks and No Brainers: Language in Your Life, the Media, Business, Politics, and Like…Your Life, the Media, Business, Politics, and Like…WhateverWhatever. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. . New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.