words of the year

Merriam-Webster Inc. has named a new word of the year. They asked visitors to their site to vote from among 20 words and phrases that were most looked up over the year. And the winner is...



w00t

yes that is with 2 zeros not o's.

it is a phrase of joy mostly used by gamers and texters.
This signifies a new direction that the English language is taking because gamers and texters are now becoming more mainstream. Even the movie industry is getting into the gamer's market by making movie remakes of such video games as Doom and Hitman.

The runner up was facebook, which has been turned into a verb meaning to look up on Facebook or to add someone to the list of friends. Mostly known in the sentence "I facebooked your mom last night" which is somewhat of a joke in the Gamer community.

Here is the website where I got the story. It is an interesting read.

HUHC Student Voices: THE CANDIDATES ARE COMING

By now you’ve all heard that Hofstra will be hosting the third and final presidential debate of 2008. When something like this comes along we should all be thinking long and hard about ideas for programs, events, activities, discussion groups and other things that would allow us to take advantage of this great moment in Hofstra history. Think about it – this is something that will be happening here during YOUR college years. So, what do you think? What would you like HUHC to be doing in anticipation and celebration of the fact that Hofstra will be playing host to the person who will become the 44th president of the United States.

I encourage you all to THINK BIG. Hofstra is going to pull out all the stops for this moment when we are literally the focal point for thousands of news related organizations. So, give it your best shot. I’ll bring at least two ideas forward as proposals for the Provost and President to consider. Post them on the blog at www.HUHCConversation.com or send me an email directly.

Warren Frisina, Dean, HUHC