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Apocalyptic Words Likely to Top 2013 List, Continuing 2012 Trend of ‘Impending Doom’

Jan. 1, 2013 12:08pm Glenn Hall

The most-uttered words of 2013 are likely to be as gloomy as 2012, when the top word was “apocalypse” and the top names were “Newtown” – the site of the horrific elementary school shooting in Connecticut — and “Malala Yousafzai” — the Pakistani girl shot in the head by the Taliban for championing the education of girls..

More apocalyptic headlines are likely because the news will be filled with reports on global warming, near-Earth asteroids and the solar max for the sunspot cycle, according to Paul JJ Payack, President of the Global Language Monitor, which produces an annual list of top words. Payack says in a USA Today report today that the coming birth of the first child for Britain’s Prince William also should put the name of the royal heir high on the 2013 list.

“Apocalypse (Armageddon, and similar terms) reflects a growing fascination with various ‘end-of-the-world’ scenarios, or at least the end of life as we know it. This year the Mayan Apocalypse was well noted, but some eight of the top words and phrases were directly related to a sense of impending doom,” Payack wrote in a post on the Global Language Monitor web site. “These included: Apocalypse, Bak’tun, Frankenstorm, Global Warming/Climate Change, God Particle, Rogue Nukes, Solar Max, Near-Earth Asteroid. Media examples include the Mayan apocalypse frenzy in Russia, the US Presidential elections (Obamageddon, Romneygeddon), the threatened dissolution of the common currency in Europe (Eurogeddon), to the call for the United Nations to implement an ‘Armageddon-type’ policy to address previously undetected space rocks hurtling toward Earth.

The following are the top 5 words, phrases and names of 2012 and the explanations as provided by Global Language Monitor. The full lists are available on the Global Language Monitor web site.

Top 5 Words

Apocalypse / Armageddon, and variations thereof – The word Apocalypse has been in ascendance in the English for more than 500 years. However,recent years has witnessed an unprecedented resurgence of the word.
Deficit — Looks like deficit-spending will plague Western democracies for at least the next decade. Note to economists of stripes: reducing the rate of increase of deficit spending actually increases the deficit.
Olympiad — The Greeks measured time by the four-year interval between the Games. Moderns measure it by medal counts, rights fees and billions of eyeballs.
Bak’tun — A cycle of 144,000 days in the Maya ‘Long Count’ Calendar. This bak’tun ends on December 21, 2012, also being called the Mayan Apocalypse. (Actually Maya ‘long-count’ calendars stretch hundreds of millions of years into the future, December 21st merely marks the beginning of a new cycle.)
Meme – Internet Memes can best be conceived as thoughts or ideas rather than words, since they can and often do encompass sounds, photos, and text. Memes are propagated through every imaginable form of electronic communications, eventually surfacing in the traditional print and electronic media.

Top 5 Phrases

Gangnam Style: A South Korean YouTube video watched 1,000,000,000 times around the world cannot be ignored because it might be considered frivolous.
Global Warming/Climate Change – No. 1 phrases for the first decade of the 21st century; still resonate well into its second decade.
Fiscal Cliff – Sharp automatic tax increases and spending cuts to U.S. Federal programs that go into effect with the new year — if the Budget Control Act of 2011 is not addressed.
The deficit—the difference between what the government takes in and what it spends—is projected to be reduced by roughly half in 2013
God Particle — The ever-elusive Higgs Boson, the search for which, according to CERN, carries a 1 in 50,000,000 of creating a mini Black Hole that just might swallow the Earth. Oops.

Top 5 Names

Newtown and Malala Yousafzai (tie) — The Connecticut site of a horrific massacre of innocents; and the Pakistani girl shot by terrorists for promoting the right to education for girls.
Xi Jinping — Replaces Hu Jintao, under whose administration China has seen a decade of extraordinary growth.
Kate Middleton — With a baby on the way (and the publishing of photos of a most private nature), the Duchess of Cambridge maintains a high profile.
President Obama – Hope and Change retreat further into the history books as Obama survives a brutal campaign.
Mitt Romney — Soon to depart into the wormhole that most losing US Presidential candidates invariably find themselves. Dukakis? Mondale? Etc.

According to LanguageMonitor.com, the methodology for selecting the top words, phrases and names is as follows:

GLM’s Word of the Year rankings are based upon actual word usage throughout the English-speaking world, which now numbers more than 1.83 billion people. To qualify for these lists, the words, names, and phrases must be found globally, have a minimum of 25,000 citations. and the requisite ‘depth’ and ‘breadth’ of usage. Depth is here defined as appearing in various forms of media; breadth that they must appear world-over, not limited to a particular profession or social group or geography.

GLM employs its NarrativeTracker technologies for global Internet and social media analysis. NarrativeTracker is based on global discourse, providing a real-time, accurate picture about any topic, at any point in time. NarrativeTracker analyzes the Internet, blogosphere, the top 275,000 print and electronic global media, as well as new social media sources as they emerge.

(Front Page Image Photo Credit: AP)

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Comments (20)

universalphilos
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 9:49pm
I did not really know about Black September’s 1972 Munich assassinations of Israeli olympians, nor was Al Qaeda formed until 1988. (Arafat and Bin Laden were radical militants with the Muslim Brotherhood seeking a Caliphate.) But, I asked spiritual messengers of God, March 9, 1973: “Do you have anything to add to the prophecies for 1973 which were given by Ray recently? And which of these prophecies you have given will come to pass in 1973? Is there a way some of the disasters or bad ones might be averted, and if so, how?”
“We shall answer into you in this manner. For those who should live in the land unto which we have spoken should give prayer unto their Lord and walk in a righteous manner before your Lord. Then, and only then, can these things be diverted.
But we should add to these prophecies in this manner. And we should say that what should be a ‘Black September,’ if it should continue and give growth into a world organization — for this is nothing more than an organization brought forth of professional assassins. But yet, you shall not stop it in this year, for it is much like the barking dog at the heels of the horse.” [See The Revelation 6:3-4.]
“There is much more we should answer…at a different time….We should leave…thee with these words. For these who should stand forth in the righteous spirit of God, we shall stand with them. Fear not, for we do not sleep.” http://www.angelfire.com/in4/aup_messiah/1973March09.audio.html
Let us do this.

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universalphilos
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 9:33pm
There are many prophecies given through the prophets. Yet, here is a parable on storing, working together, respecting those of other denominations and faiths, and most of all, listening to God.
June 13, 1980: “We say unto you, this is but a parable, a parable in truth. Prophecy is coming true before your eyes, yet you hear it not. For we have said before, this land of yours shall be the great melting pot, migration pot, as things grow worsen….Gather your crops together, that you may survive and others also. But the survival of the body is nothing if the spirit does not survive with it.”
http://www.angelfire.com/in4/aup_messiah/1980June13.audio.html
It is not that the Law and the prophecies are apocalyptic, but rather than men and women may hear what may happen and learn from them beforehand, and choose another way that God, who loves His children, would prepare as a better place for them. The prophecies do not lead, they follow. It is man’s free choice, given as a precious gift from our Father, that is important to God and should be important to us in building this earth. Let us put God first, and He will put us first in this manner. Let us listen to what he has sent his prophets to teach us. Let us love Him above all else, and love one another. He has given us the Ten Commandments, and if we are in accord with Him, He will see our needs. Remember the prophet, Jonah, who warned the city, and the prophecies didn’t happen?

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Bro Geo Too
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 7:45pm
`
High tech underwater and underground imaging has shown the scrape on the hull of the Titanic was well over 100 feet long while the actual gash through the hull about the size of a refrigerator. Once the hull was breached–it was only a matter of time.

The hull of America has been breached. It happened when we turned our collective back on God and threw him overboard. It will take time, but OUR SHIP WILL SINK. First we will crumble from within, only later will we be overrun by barbarians.

If you wish, here is a helpful link to a Believer’s prep site: http://www.preparedchristian.net

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katzkiner
Posted on January 2, 2013 at 11:01am
50 million on food stamps, 2 million on unemployment, 75% of families living paycheck to paycheck, no I don’t see any reason to be concerned. Pardon me, I got a $4million vacation to take.

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Rayblue
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 8:15pm
I have some liberal leftys living down the lane. They bought into the Mayan rock news and actually had backpacks with what they thought would help when the darkness descended. I really tried to help but when 12/21/12 got real close they heard from another reliable relative that the end was more in sync with the extinction of the dinosaurs. How this was arrived at is probably by the similar reckoning of the age of the pyramids divided by the number of rocks at Stonehenge multiplied by the number of saucers in a shed outside of the now defunct Perrin Air Force base. Which eventually adds up to “never”.

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JohnLarson
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 3:14pm
Isn’t this part of Beck’s plan?

Scare everyone into buying his gold, survival seeds, food insurance..etc..

Never believe someone who has financial incentive to scare you.

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ThatsJustCrazyTalk
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 2:30pm
I just scanned the story and thought it would be an opportune time to make a few formal request’s regarding constructive criticism. Can the Blaze writers quit using childish pulp culture verbiage in their stories as well? Some stories are really substantive as a Conservative, that’s why I take the time to scan the headlines. However, the writers here say ignorant words like, “EPIC” far too often. The word has lost its meaning (if it ever had one). There no longer is such as thing as EPIC, so please lose the word. Also, could writers please explain stories better instead of saying, “what happens when” or “see what happens.” Our time is valuable if only for our own sanity. When you’re not explaining a story it’s tediously unnecessary to open up headlines just to see what the story is about. Lastly, please utilize spell check (or hire some sort of quality control personnel). You have adult Conservatives as a reader base and it makes everyone look bad when nearly every story has grammatical errors, misspellings, and typos.

Not saying this in a rude way. Just making a reasonable request that I think many Conservative readers here would agree on. Thank you!

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- JohnLarson
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 3:38pm
  It’s about money, and news sensationalism sells. “Epic” and “Impending doom” and “Apocalypse” draw clicks. More clicks than if they used more subdued reasonable headlines.
  
  FrumForum doesn’t do this, but the huckster fake conservatives have already convinced everyone ppl like him are just RINOs.
  
  Even Breitbart refused to sell gold and sensationalize everything in order to cash in.
  
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- ThatsJustCrazyTalk
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 4:47pm
  @John: Thanks. I am quite familiar with how the marketing of websites goes, how e-commerce works, and what an Alexa Ranking is. I used to work as an e-commerce broker / Affiliate manager for a web based publishing company. There’s no way anyone can prove that heading an article “EPIC” creates more traffic. If Blaze is paying Pay-per-click to use such words I would be flabbergasted. I really don’t think we as Conservatives search news stories with EPIC, et al fad terms in the title. Then, to have a story with a picture only that says, “what until you see what such and such said” w/o giving a hint to the story is completely off-putting. In fact, I’m pretty sure most of us would avoid such stories for the most part.
  
  Also, that doesn’t really explain away the “just out of college” / “ADHD” writing skills I noted. Reading articles from time to time that look as if a forgetful stoner wrote dull the senses. Personally, I like to read current news that have me thinking, instead of requiring me to constantly decipher “thi” into “this” etc.
  
  I’m sure I’m not the only one here who thinks like this. I also can easily discern who the RINO’s, flaming Leftist’s, and muslims-in-disguise are. But, thanks once again.
  
  Happy New Year all!
  
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- Rayblue
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 7:51pm
  Picky, picky, picky.
  I hate to think that Mr Beck scared everyone into buying a metal that has gone up in value by about 300 %. And the typos and headline controversy is as old as to be a tradition that they seem to revel in the continuation of. But pontificate on. Your terse verse can only be smiled upon by we in the no.
  
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- ThatsJustCrazyTalk
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 11:35pm
  @Rayblue: Just happened by again as I am a reader of the Blaze. Assuming you’re referring to me? I wouldn’t call my comments Terse or picky. But, sounds like an elitist such as yourself is really in the “no,” don’t you “no?” If you appreciate 7th or 8th grade caliber English that seems to say something about you, not I. Are you taking offense to a polite comment because you’re one of the writers in question? Pretty sure I was simply being open, honest, and prefacing the constructive criticism with comments indicating I didn’t want to come off as rude. Sober up, it’s a work day tomorrow and learn how to interpret statements my friend.
  
  Happy New Year once again, little Brother!
  
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- American_Christian_Capitalist
  Posted on January 2, 2013 at 2:54pm
  YES! Please proofread your work! Reign in your headlines a little too. We do not care about Justin Bieber, random football plays, which celebrities wear what kind of underwear, etc.
  
  I know this is turning many of us away. It’s off-putting.
  
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FANGS
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 2:30pm
Is it safe to say America’s on their own? no laws?

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SciPro
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 2:11pm
So many doom scenarios, entertained last year, just shows in general, a sense of change, and spiral downward from freedoms we had enjoyed. Most thinking people sense an apocalyptic outcome, because of the recent news events of the past year … is actually going to happen as some scripture has foretold .. and are worried, like me! … Yes, “Preppers” may have to be a task they say, we should attend to, preparing for a bad scenario, God forbid! .. The failing moral values, and trampling of God’s life giving commandments, always in past history, has proven to be very destructive … yep, .. most people fail in overcoming pride, and pay the price .. sorry to say, as also do nations. And that’s why doom scenarios are becoming prevalent .. I think.

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- ChiefGeorge
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 3:03pm
  The spectre of 2012 Doom has now come and gone and with it a false sense of relief….false sense as there was nothing to it anyways. Now with this new found relief comes letting your guard down, going back to old spending sprees, running up personal debts, living large and the whole scene that comes with it.
  
  Jesus told us the end of the age would look like the time of Noah. People would be eating, drinking, giving in marriage and just going about their merry ways until the flood came and took them all away.
  
  Beware of the false sense of security. We’ve been there before! When? Right after the wall came down in East Germany and the Russians declared they had lost the cold war. Remember they turned back the doomsday clock minute hand?
  
  Now comes the great American gun grab! This must be done and soon while things still seem tenable for the power elite and then they can push the next agenda contained in the O-Bama-care bill and is regarding the RFID chip to be placed on or in the right hand. It will contain your medical information along with your bank info for billing purposes. This is real people! You would not accept this or go along with it if you still had the ability to fight back. Your guns will be gone by this time. 2013 will prove to be a very dangerous time to be an American…..in America.
  
  People have long said that this stuff would never happen but it is in the bill for March 2013 to be implemented.
  
  Its here folks!
  
  Your move!
  
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- ChiefGeorge
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 3:14pm
  Hurricane Irene
  
  Sandy
  
  Record drought in 2012
  
  Virginia Earth Quake that cracked the Washington Monument
  
  Tsunami in Japan
  
  Chile Earth Q
  
  New Zealand Earth Q
  
  Massive Australia Flood
  
  Worst UK/US/Russian winters on record
  
  Hurricane Katrina
  
  Social upheavals everywhere
  
  Economy woes
  
  Yes, these things would have to get ones attention and make one ask what is going on? These are the birth pangs and they are getting closer together you might have noticed as well. Worsening moral decay, family values being extinguished for homosexual agenda, youth running riot over their parents and society at large and the list is too much to list.
  
  God has a plan so take heart and look to him for answers in 2013. Our time I believe is getting real short. Keep your eyes on Israel they are the time piece.
  
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lel2007
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 12:24pm
The “doom” is obama & Co., his anti American policies, his communist administration, his subversion of the Constitution, the evil his presidency enables and empowers, but most of all – the apparent majority (or power to manufacture a majority vote) that re-elected him.

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- dholio
  Posted on January 1, 2013 at 12:27pm
  You said it brother
  
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dholio
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 12:22pm
It’s hard to be optimistic about the future with a president and the fools who support him in the destruction of our country and constitution.

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woodyee
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 12:21pm
Yeah, well if you repeat them often enough the lie often becomes the truth. Like “Gaybama is looking out for our best interest.”

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