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SALT LAKE CITY -- In the news business, this is the time of year for "look-backs" of the big stories, the unusual things that went on, and the happy and not-so-happy events.
News agencies all over the world come up with their year-end lists. So, on this last day of 2009, we have a list of words and phrases that have become popular, and in some cases too popular.
We certainly remember these:
- "You lie!" -- shouted by South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson at President Obama during a presidential address to Congress.
- "We're gonna be in the Hudson" -- calmly stated by U.S. Airways Capt. Chesley Sullenberger shortly before making a water landing in the Hudson River after both engines failed
- "There's an app for that" -- coined by Apple to use in promoting applications made for its popular iPhone.
"Shovel-ready" was used and used in 2009 by just about anyone who was discussing our economic stimulus plan. In fact, the university even included the word "stimulus" on its list.
- "sexting" -- sending explicit photos and text messages on a cell phone
- "Tweet," and all its variations -- used in connection with the Twitter social-networking site.
- "friend" -- The university doesn't like the fact that the word "friend" has become a verb, particularly on Facebook, as in: "I just ‘friended' that person."
And then there's the Obama "prefix" phenomenon, as compiled by this year's Oxford Dictionary. There's "Obamanonics," "Obamanation," "Obamacare," and "Obamalicious."
Finally, back to Yale's No. 1 quote of the past year, shouted by a man at a health care town hall meeting: "Keep your government hands off my Medicare"!
Also making the list of overused words and phrases: "toxic assets," "too big to fail," and one that sounds really good after a rough day: "chillaxin."
Can't wait to hear what we'll all be saying over and over in 2010!
CLICK HERE to read which overused words KSL.com users feel must go.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
