'Overshare' Announced as Webster's Word of the Year
The editors of Webster's New World dictionary have announced 'overshare' as the Word of the Year, reports Urlesque.
In the above video, Mike Agnes, the dictionary's Editor in Chief defines 'overshare' thusly:
Typically a verb, but also used as a noun, it is the name given to 'too much information,' whether willingly offered or inadvertently revealed. It is the word for both the tedious minutiae on personal Web sites and blogs, and the accidental slips of the tongue in public.'Overshare' emerged as the victor from a list including four other finalists: 'leisure sickness,' 'cyberchondriac,' 'selective ignorance' and 'youthanasia.'
Agnes explains that Webster's decision to crown the word springs from its application as both noun and verb and its pertinence to digital media and emergent forms of public discourse.
While the word is not yet sufficiently part of the English lexicon to earn a place in the dictionary, Agnes explains that the dictionary's editors are keeping a close eye on its development. [From: Urlesque]





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Comments
20
Subscribe to commentsUncle MikeDec 18th 2008 8:40PM
It's time to retire the word 'anti-abortion'. This is a double negative and a horrible mutilation of the King's English.
ShannonDec 22nd 2008 11:00PM
I'm going to have to totally agree with James after I totally picked myself up off the floor from laughing... ;) We live in America which KING are you worshiping for you version of English?
As for "overshare" I have to agree I haven't ever heard it. I believe they just ~smartened up~ TMI for those who don't know (To Much Information) Thanks again for the laughs James!!!
JamesDec 22nd 2008 11:25PM
How is "anti-abortion" a double negative? What canon of proper English usage does it violate? And FYI -- Since the incumbent monarch is a queen, "the Queen's English" would be the correct phrase. But in my experience, both phrases tend to be used by Anglophile snobs.
MattDec 23rd 2008 9:12PM
Since you are a Dartmouth English major, I am assuming you made a massive mistake when you put the comma between the 2 verbs, that were being attributed to the same subject.
I haven't seen someone separate 2 verbs like that since I corrected a stack of 4th grade biographies.
Something tells me that it wasn't the 'Dartmouth' connected to the Ivy League system. It was the 'Dartmouth' connected to the Dartmouth County school system.
I think it might be in line with people from Oxford, CT saying that they are majoring in English at Oxford.
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The 'anti-abortion' comment was not stated properly. I understand what the writer is trying to say. The opposite of anti-abortion would be pro-abortion. The people who are 'anti-abortion' are pro-life. If they were pro-abortion, they would be the opposite of what they are hoping to be labeled.
The term is a unique term because not only does the prefix change, but the root word has to be changed as well.
======================================
I am not claiming to be from the loins of Webster nor the bowels of Shakespeare. I am just sharing something that I would consider to be factual and common knowledge.
LolaDec 19th 2008 6:50AM
I'm afraid I have never heard the word 'overshare'.
draconisDec 22nd 2008 9:44PM
Well got to agree with Lola, I've never heard that word.
BrittanyDec 22nd 2008 9:59PM
There are definitely better words than 'overshare'
PamDec 22nd 2008 10:23PM
Wow James. I can really tell you're an English major. However, I think you overshared in your response.
macDec 22nd 2008 10:32PM
Reg. The comments from "JAMES" from "DARTMOUTH"'what in heavens do YOU DO at Dartmouth?....We "REVOLTED against the Kings English"??.......'may I suggest you pick up a book and try to read it...
SusanDec 22nd 2008 10:35PM
A Dartmouth English major? Try looking up the correct spelling of "Buffoon" - you might even see your own picture.
FaithDec 22nd 2008 11:45PM
James, if you're an English Major from ANY college why don't you put that good english to use and lose the uneducated street talk. Your comments would have alot more meaning!
sugarbearDec 23rd 2008 12:01AM
I'm definately not an expert on the subject of "Proper English" by any means,but I can't think of any language rules the term "anti-abortion" is breaking . It definately is not a double negative, the term "anti" as applied simply means one who is against an action or behavior, one could be "anti" anything. Perhaps if we could find our way to halt medically unnecessary abortions we could put this word to rest forever.Its a possible "ANTIdote".
DonDec 23rd 2008 12:06AM
My nominee for word of the year is infrastructure. I had never heard that word in my life until this year, and now I hear it at least once a day.
MacDec 23rd 2008 12:28AM
Soooo. That means you can combine any two words and WALAH you have a new word. WOW The possibilities are endless....
ChrisDec 23rd 2008 2:21AM
The word of the year should be "literally", not because it is a good word or has anything to do with events in 2008, but it seems there has been an epidemic of misuse of the word in the past year.
IronsharpenslronDec 23rd 2008 3:18AM
Here's a word...
Ebayniac - one who has an addiction to either buying or selling on Ebay. Im married to one :)
WolfsterDec 23rd 2008 3:30AM
I would take James more seriously as an English major if he knew how to spell his fightin' words like "buffoon" and if he could express himself in something other than vulgarities. But he's got a point. Why would "anti-abortion" be a double negative?
The one that makes me cringe is "I could care less." No, you couldn't. ;)
ChuckDec 23rd 2008 4:55AM
Looks like Sugarbear is against "dote".
king jamesDec 23rd 2008 5:41AM
James obviously you are a 1st major in english please expand your vocabulary before displaying your ignorance in the future. it will be better for all
TO JAMESDec 23rd 2008 5:47AM
JAMES JAMES JAMES I was unaware of the shortage being suffered by Dartmouth for quality students you OVERSHARED your ignorance to all