SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Maybe the language lovers who looked up “refudiate” this summer wanted to refute or repudiate its existence as a real word.
Whatever the reason, their curiosity made Sarah Palin’s not-quite-a-word Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Summer,” the one most often searched by users of the publisher’s online dictionary.
They didn’t find it, of course. The pseudo-word “refudiate” isn’t in the dictionary and is not expected to be added anytime soon.
That didn’t deter Palin when the former Alaska governor used it on a news show and in a Twitter message in July in place of refute or repudiate, which have similar meanings. Refute means to prove something wrong or deny its truth or accuracy. Repudiate means to refuse any connection with something or reject it as untrue or unjust.
Palin laughed off criticisms about “refudiate,” noting that Shakespeare also coined new words.
“I think people immediately knew what she was trying to say because the words ‘refute’ and ‘repudiate’ were also being looked up very, very frequently,” said John Morse, Merriam-Webster’s president and publisher.
“It’s an interesting blend, but no, ‘refudiate’ is not a real word,” he said.
But that could someday change. Many of today’s accepted words once were considered strange hybrids, too, including contraption (contrivance plus trap and invention) and splatter (splash and spatter).
Massachusetts-based Merriam-Webster started tracking trends on what news-driven words were looked up most frequently after Princess Diana’s death. That’s when its editors noticed a spike in online searches for certain words associated with that event, such as paparazzi (an aggressive photographer focusing on celebrities) and cortege (a funeral procession).
It’s now able to track all searches on its website, naming the top trend words of each year and an annual compilation of “new words” accepted into the dictionary, such as blog and staycation.
“Refudiate” is joined on this summer’s list of top words by “inception” and “despicable,” for which online searches jumped immediately as movies were released with those words in the titles. Some other often-searched words included “moratorium,” ”austerity,” ”opulent“ and ”doppelganger.”
“Frugal” also made the list, reflecting what Merriam-Webster editor at large Peter Sokolowski described as “a word and sentiment of the moment for the country.”
Some perennial puzzlers like “irony” and the bedeviling duo of “affect” and “effect” remained among Merriam-Webster’s most-often searched words, though, and its editors don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Palin wasn’t the first to blend two words with a similar meaning into one. Others have worked their way into the dictionary over time, such as “bold” and “audacious” blending to become “bodacious” or “guess” and “estimate” becoming “guesstimate.”
Jonathan Bobaljik, a linguistics professor at the University of Connecticut, said a term‘s transition from slang to acceptance as a word isn’t a clear-cut process.
For instance, people with something in common — such as Palin supporters — might use a particular term to signal their affinity even if they know it’s not considered proper English.
“If enough people decide through popular consent that they’re going to use it, then it may eventually become a word,” Bobaljik said.
Indeed, Morse said lexicographers have told the Merriam-Webster editors they’re seeing more use of “refudiate,” though always by people who know the story behind it.
But it remains to be seen whether “refudiate” will become accepted as a “real word.”
“Will ‘refudiate’ get in the dictionary? Time will tell,” Morse said. “Lexicographers are not good fortune tellers, so even if I had a theory, that wouldn’t make it true.”
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Comments (83)
ninecarpileup
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 5:32pmThis is just another attempt to show her as an uneducated commoner. How could she possibly be considered a strong leader until she comes up with something as catchy as “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
I don’t know about Websters, but I sure would be willing to REFUDIATE him as this nations designated leader!
Report Post »anniekeys
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 6:01pmI’m just the ordinary person with only a little common sense and some book learnin! I’m sure some here have read her book-she got alot done, cleaned some clocks, etc. There’s more to her and it scares the complainers! Should send her great word to O’Reilly!
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 11:44amBut she IS an uneducated commoner.
Report Post »ChazzArtist
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 5:09pmI found a word in the dictionary… transparency. I think the administration should look into it.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:52pmNo matter how you slice it – there are a LOT of people paying attention to what this woman says. That can be looked at a lot of different ways!
Silversmith
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:57pmAmen, brother/sister.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 11:45amYup. There’s a ton of people who slow down on the interstate to see a car wreck, too….Just sayin’
Report Post »janisallen
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:47pmPalin for president. Changing the dictionary will be an honor.
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:44pmGood grief, at least Palin made up a word that actually makes sense. Ever heard the gangsta crowd and young lefties talk? You can’t even understand them. Give me a break. Talk right and pull up your pants before casting stones at Sarah Palin. She‘s got 100 x’s the sense these little punks can get from their indoctrinated college books.
I think it’s hilarious that again Palin laughed it off and said Shakespeare made up words all the time. I mean it….she cracks me up.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
YOU GO GIRL!!
Report Post »dressseller
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:33pmI wonder how many looked up or made fun of Obama‘s ’epantsipation’ (emancipation) ….or when he (more than once) referred to the military corpsmen as ‘corpse men’ … lol.
Of course you didn’t hear a thing about that in the MSM.. ..if had been George W. Bush or now… Sarah Palin ..or even Glenn Beck for that matter.. …well, it’s the age old story of liberal media bias.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:31pmWhat about Chris Mathews saying obama was “Plu-perfect’? What ever that is… as he genuflected, kissed up and played ‘yes’ man all at the same time in the ‘Chris Mathews sells obama one man propaganda bureau’?
Report Post »Pierce
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:20pmIs this like some sort of gag meant to amuse the masses?
Report Post »nicholjm
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:18pmPalin? She’s good entertainment and a useful attack dog, but smart leader with solutions? Not so much. Whateer his or her politics, I want the smartest person in the room in charge. I don’t want the leader of the free world to be just like me, ugh, that would be scary!
Report Post »martnee777
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:33pmMaybe we should get a Harvard educated Constitutional professor that is also a community organizer. Sound pretty smart to me.
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:46pmBook smarts and common sense are two entirely different things and I’ll take the common sense first any day.
Report Post »nicholjm
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 8:55amTrue, but what if you have neither? cough..Palin..cough
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:18pmI‘m hesitant to make this post because I know I’ll get attacked for it but here goes. And yes, I think Obama is an idiot and a puppet and I’m as tired as anyone of his always getting a pass.
I admire Sarah Palin for her principles, her courage, her devotion and her accomplishments, but it’s stuff like this that reaffirms to the masses that she is missing a primary ingredient that prevents her from being viable as a presidential candidate. Gravitas. She has been unable to overcome the widespread perception that she doesn’t have it. You can argue that this is an erroneous perception and I’ll agree, but in this day and age, perception is, unfortunately, reality. Deal with it.
It’s not fair, but that’s life. A conservative cannot overcome gaffes like this but, with the support of the mainstream media and the number of built-in automatic Democrat voters, a liberal can. It’s just the way it is.
I wish Sarah continued and fully deserved success as a wife, mother, talk show guest and behind-the-scenes kingmaker but the cry for “President Palin” needs to wind down. Fair or not, she’s not electable nationally. And I love her.
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:56pm“I’m hesitant to make this post because I know I’ll get attacked for it but here goes.”
In this country, you should never fear speaking your mind. I respect your opinion, my friend, though I disagree. I will not personally attack, nor rip apart your statement. I simply feel that the media is biased against her and the people see it. Not the ‘sheeple’, mind you, but those who actually think for themselves. But, that’s just my little opinion.
Report Post »Champ
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 5:26pmI have to admit that I had to look up Gravitas. I agree that she doesn’t have it, and I also agree that it is a desirable quality for a presidential candidate. There is also a point where it becomes phony and manufactured, and I personally look for a happy median. Somebody like Mike Huckabee has the right personality balance for me.
I wonder when our society will get to a point when an personality like Sarah’s will be acceptable for the President of the US. I think back to Howard Dean’s scream of (political) death, which shows that having a dignified and formal demeanor is still essential to be a presidential material.
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 6:00pmChamp, I think that day will follow along shortly after it’s no longer necessary to:
Raise and spend half a billion dollars to get a job paying $400K per year;
Be a mega-millionaire and spend multiple of those millions to run for a seat in the Senate or House.
The super-wealthy generally didn‘t get that way by making investments that don’t pay off.
Report Post »Spookytruck
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 8:49pmI respect your opinion and will not attack you for sharing it with us. I would vote for her in a heartbeat. When the media has to try so hard to make real people look stupid, it only makes most people want to know them better and when they start really looking they find there is a lot to like about her. She’s real. Believe it.
Report Post »Augustus Cicero
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 3:51amI agree and would like to add that at times her enthusiasm is overpowering the message she’s trying to convey. She’s wound up like a ten day clock and that turns a lot of people off. I would much rather read her statements than listen to her.
Report Post »RefudiateObama2012
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 9:11amYou might be right, in as much the media usually controls the message. However, Palin has found a way to go around the media directly to the people by using FaceBook. Whenever she makes a post, it is linked hundreds of times, referred to by many columnists, and talked about on all of the news shows and networks. One of her FB posts is read by more people than who read any of the leading syndicated columnists.
She is winning people over one at a time. People are beginning to discover that her positions on the issues aren’t “fringe” or “extreme”, but line up with their own beliefs. There is no position she has taken that isn’t also supported by the majority, but you wouldn’t know that if you rely on ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/MSNBC/NPR/PBS/WaPo/NYTimes for your news.
Report Post »AMY
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:14pmMy personal favorite was Obama’s recent pronunciation, consistently I might add, of “corpse-man” when he was referring by name to a corpsman in the military.
Report Post »anOpinion
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:13pmInventing new words is good strategery
Report Post »voice
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:12pmThe fact that so many looked up the word shows the real power that Sarah Palin has in this nation. I can forsee something very big on the horizon for the former Governor.
Report Post »StargazerInSavannah
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:07pmI anticipate that Merriam-Webster will pick up on the new definition for ‘Corpse’ in deference to the smartest leader in the world.
Report Post »The ignorance of the president that hides all his academic records while proclaiming his brilliance must still be smoking coke along with his tobacco.
Shouldn‘t ’the one‘ be proclaiming his moral character by presenting himself as a ’recovering coke-head’ ? Or, maybe like the tobacco, he is still a user.
Bearclaw
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 2:31pmAlso, I am curious how Obama paid for his college.
Report Post »Rigger475
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:05pmThis whole article is Infriggincredible
Report Post »martnee777
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:29pmI can’t refudiate that!!!!
Report Post »rstarce
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:04pmIsn’t it amazing the way the entire left in this country hangs on to every word uttered by this woman. Really quite laughable. Mr President and all his “words” don’t get nearly as much attention. Wonder if he will “refudiate” the word.
Report Post »auntbea
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:56pmCan I change my Username to Refudiate? I like Nittypick too!
Report Post »auntbea
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:02pmCorrection: Nittitypick!
Report Post »Freidenker
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:53pmFrom “refudiate” to “57 or 58 states” in the Union…This goes to show how the level of education has slipped during the last twenty years. More home schooling will definitely improve the ability of most Americans to spell properly and know where there country is on the map (and what the contents are). Go get them Glenn – you and Barton will surely reteach history the way you think it should be.
Report Post »Spookytruck
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 8:36pmNo. They will reteach History the way it really was. Not the edited fairytail version with no footnotes.
Report Post »Goober96
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 10:37pmWill it also teach them the difference between “there” and “their” and how to spell “continents”?
Report Post »StrawberryPop
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:52pmOf course, Palin makes a word that actually makes sense and people jump all over it. They try to use it as something to degrade her, but people don’t seem to remember the many sheer idiotic mistakes Obama has made when speaking publicly.
Report Post »Flagwaver
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:53pmEspecially when he is off the teleprompter. I think the Dems cringe more when Obama if off the prompter than the GOP did when Bush mentioned “Crusade” after 9/11.
Report Post »klstj
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:42pmi adore her…run you whimpy babies…..run!
Report Post »wodiej
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:40pmDitto….
Report Post »NancyJean
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 7:52pmAnd ditto again.
Report Post »I love that she faced it with a laugh.
Spookytruck
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 8:32pmDitto!
Report Post »coal
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:33pmI wonder? did anyone fact check potus famous 57 states, wait there’s more ,who remembers the word inhalator or was it bronchalator?
Report Post »NancyJean
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 7:58pmAnd then there was the “I don’t know how you say it in Austrian” comment.
Report Post »martnee777
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:20pmThe truly amazing thing is that an out of office, ex Governor, can make a one word mistake and it’s national news.
Report Post »They are so afraid of her that they have to find anything they can.
Watch out lefties, big bad Sarah’s gonna getcha!!!
Ellie
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:36pmYeppers, this is how we know that we have won all of the “arguments” because all they have left is to “nittitypick” the improper usage of language.
That’s right I said “nittitypick”, my new favorite word for the day.
Report Post »Rick_1004
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 4:05pmWhat I really find funny is how someone feel’s it necessary to nit pick the words of a possible political competitor that occasionally get thrown out there in a press conference, or these day’s on a “tweet” (without a teleprompter I might add, or hand selected questions by the staff of whom is being questioned)…..remember “strategery?” (Which incidentally I thought was a cool word!) Really, is that all you have?
Also, aren’t the people focusing on bringing these heinous crimes against humanity the same people telling me that Ebonics is now an acceptable use of the American form of the English language? Social justice right? Don’t teach people to do it the right way, but make sure to point out when your competitor makes a error in grammar. *sarcasm on* I blame the teachers unions for holding teachers accountable for not teaching Gov. Palin that it wasn’t a word. *sarcasm off* There always has to be someone to blame in America right?
Report Post »ProudConservative1
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:09pmYou can bet “refudiate” will be added in the dictionary!
Many have started using it!
I recently commented that Beck‘s Red Phone hasn’t rung because Obama can’t “refudiate” the facts and his own words!
Thanks, Beck and Sarah!
Report Post »LesterWillox
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:21pmMost people who use the word are using it to make fun of her, though.
Report Post »ConservativeFeminist
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:08pmI wonder how many people did a fact-check to see if Obama was correct when he said the United States had 57 or 58 States? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws
Report Post »jrichardson
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 4:34pmEd and Keith and Rachel don’t like to report stuff like that. Anyway they probably don’t know the difference unless someone pointed it out. Just another reason to make fun of anyone that does not agree with them. We already know how smart that is. Wonder if anyone ever told them, the “dummys” that they talk about buy the products that their sponsors sell? And less audience, less sales.
Report Post »RDK 555
Posted on September 8, 2010 at 10:06amDon’t forget CORPS! (CORPSE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT REMEMBER)
Report Post »Skandelon27
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 3:06pmRufudiate Obamanomics.
Report Post »Large Eagle
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 5:47pmConsidering the new word game has been launch by Sarah I wish to submitt my newest word.
Report Post »Islamophobe: An individual that fears being killed by a human bomb of the same sex.
blueberrynoname
Posted on September 7, 2010 at 8:27pmMan…This Chic is Awesome! Everything she does gets the attention of the left. They scrutinize the words she uses, They point out that she writes on her palm when making speeches, and then they made a parody of her mamma grizzly label. More, Palin, Please!!
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