Fuddland

Yes yes yes, the whole universe is abuzz with the news that “blog” was the most looked-up word last year, according to lexicographers Merrium-Webster, most taking it as a sign that the word has been accepted into modern language and blogging is mainstream.

But me, I’m hoping that the reason that “incumbent” was the second most looked-up word is that, like me, the rest of the world can never remember if it means the guy currently in office or the guy who was in office but has just lost the election. It’s the former which is correct, but the word has this look or feel of misery and dejection about it which always makes me think it means something worse; I can’t quite put my finger on what word it reminds me of though.

Perhaps the explanation, if you can call it that, is that whenever I see the word “incumbent”, I get an image of Mr Snuffleupagus from Sesame Street. Welcome to my brain.

#1

Jann | 2004 / 12 / 02 – 13:10

Cucumbers. Not necessarily alliteratively speaking, either.

In recent US electoral matters, the use of the word incumbent put me in mind of vegetables…

#2

David (TEFL Smiler) | 2004 / 12 / 11 – 17:10

It sounds a bit like “incompetent”, I suppose. Could that be it?

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