Buzzwords from the ether

This week we turn our attention to the most basic form of
communications. Human speech. What we say and how we say and how we say it.

Part of it is so-called buzzwords that are used to communicate thoughts or emotions. Words like the catch phrases Fahgeddaboutit! Amateur Radio Newslines Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has the latest on what's hot and what's not:

According to a new list issued by the Global Language Monitor about ten days ago, Fahgeddaboutit is out. Its been replaced by "Incivility." That's a word which shot to prominence in last fall's election to describe what some commentators saw as the unprecedented negativity of the U.S. political debate.

Close behind is Donald Trump's message to losers on "The Apprentice." In this case its the two words - "You're fired!" Trump's famed dismissal notice topped the TV buzzword list. Close behind that phrase was "Mess O' Potamia" used on the "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" to describe events in Iraq. "Girlie Men," a favourite expression to
deride opponents used by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was a close runner up. Others in the top 10 were "wardrobe malfunction," "Infectious disease," from the ever-expanding "CSI" detective series and "extreme makeover" from various television reality shows.

Global Language Monitor does not appear to keep track of buzz words in ham radio, but we have a few that seem to be in right now. We call it ham speak. For instance, if you do V-H-F contesting from a mobile you are now a Rover. And operating meteor scatter has become "working the rocks." We know there are many others, but we have to end it
someplace, so with the latest news -- er -- I mean street buzz, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, telling it like it is -- er -- reporting -- or something.

Global Language Monitor is a group which keeps track of word use. You can see the entire list on line at www.LanguageMonitor.com

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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