Valleywag
CollegeHumor cofounder Ricky Van Veen has decided to short the word "douche."
After a strong resurgence in 2005 and showing strong staying power through 2007, lately most of the people I've seen use it fit into two categories: 1) people over 40 who have finally had the word passed down the cool chain from their younger friends and coworkers. 2) the "douches" originally being described themselves.We second this call. In fact, our own very special correspondent banned douche not long ago. Below, five more words we'd like to see tank. State your portfolio position and suggest other picks in the comments.
- Web 2.0.This marketing term was old when Time magazine made "You" the person of the year in 2006. CNET reporter Caroline McCarthy might have just killed it for good.
- Bubble. We can't be in a recession and a bubble at the same time, people. Pick just one economic theory to overhype, please.
- Influencers. This term is on the tip of every social media marketer's tongue as they look to find that one Facebook user who will spark a forest fire for the clients' brands. Problem is: Uncountable variables set the conditions for a forest fire. The spark is just the most visible. And research shows influencers aren't the real firestarters.
- MicroHoo. Microsoft-Yahoo is what, seven characters longer? This word is only OK if Jerry Yang and Steve Ballmer both become Jeves Bang or Stevey Yallmer. Which I don't think is going to happen. Unless more weed is involved.
- Dead simple. From now on, this phrase should only be used ironically. As in: "IsMikeArringtonADick.com makes it dead simple to find out if Mike Arrington is a dick."
Comments
Hold D-bag
Short *-tard
Anything to do with lolcat/lolspeak. It's sooooo f--king 2007.
I'm going to start wearing brass knuckles and punching people in the face every time they say the word 'webinar.'
It's a good thing that the punk class has decided to quit using 'douchebag'. Children don't know how to insult very well and they do it poorly anyway so it's just as well. Leave those words to people who know how and when to use them instead of randomly sprinkling them around like glitter at a rave.
I can has bases are belong to us.
I'll second the shorting of douche. I had a roommate who abused it, and if it didn't have staying power over 4 months in a dorm room, I can't see how it will last more than a week when Paul Boutin starts using it.
I'd like to nominate "i." The company that abuses a prefix more than Apple is McDonalds, and once they fell from America's good graces, "Mc" quickly because a pejorative, e.g. McMansion. Apple should quit while they're ahead, and before someone coins the term iTard.
@sample032:
iDisagree
As a native Frenchman, the use of "douche" has always been a bit disturbing to me. I will however hold on my "douchebag" stock. I have also noticed the resurgence of "shitbird", for which I would issue a careful buy rating.
I'm shorting:
Asshat
PR 2.0
"I just threw up in my mouth a little bit"
Hillary Clinton
@FlakJack: Shudder.
"Slam-Dunk"
As in: "This Web 2.0 startup is a, 'slam-dunk,' money maker"
How about edu-tastic?
Harry "as seen here" Wang
@Arnaud H: The "shitbird" comment makes me wonder: French Canadian?
I think "duh" might be due for a comeback limited to ironic usage. That shit's a slam-dunk 2.0.
Crap...no embedded links? "as seen here" refers to:
[valleywag.com]
Harry "'smells like ass' should be banned too" Wang
Short:
Snarky (not only is it misused to the point of being meaningless, it's a dumb word)
Amazing
Conversation (in the context of new/social media)
Community (as above)
Strategist
meh
wannapreneur
traction
traction
traction
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