The new phone book's here! The new phone book's here!

No no no. Not really. But the ADS did choose the Word of the Year, and frankly, I'm disappointed.

Linguists Gone Wild! - Why "wardrobe malfunction" wasn't the Word of the Year.

They chose red/blue/purple states. C'mon. Wardrobe malfunction was waaaay better. Even flip-flopper is more interesting.

ADS has a historical record of good and bad choices, so I conclude it must be a down year. These are the same people that bestowed metrosexual the honor in 2003 (good choice), but then voted PC (politically correct) as Most Outrageous (wha?) in 1990 and NOT! the word of the year in 1992 (bad choices).

My theory for the good and bad choices goes something like this. Good choices are made when the linguists are allowed to drink, nominate, discuss and vote in that order. Bad choices are made when the drinking has to wait until all the nominating, discussing and voting is over, thereby enticing them into voting for any crappy word thrown out in the interest of getting a good seat at the bar.

Of course, my theories tend towards the self-motivational.

Now be good boys and girls and check out tons more word-love at Wordspy.