The mildly interesting meaning behind one of Grant’s nominations for the 2007 Word of the Year: earmarxist. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Earmarxist”
Well, Grant, a little while ago we were talking about nominations for Word of the Year for 2007.
Do you have another one?
I do.
As a matter of fact, another nomination is Ear Marxist, E-A-R-M-A-R-X-I-S-T. This is a congressperson or senator who adds earmarks, which is another name for a kind of pork barrel provision, to legislation.
So you get the joke.
So it’s earmark plus Marxist as isn’t a left-wing politician.
Yeah, funny kind of.
No, I mean that—
It’s mildly interesting.
It’s got a little bit of history already.
People are actually using it in unselfconscious ways.
They are?
Yeah, it might demonstrate that it’s more than just a passing fad.
It might actually last.
Oh, come on.
I would have thought that would be a flash in the linguistic pan.
Well, there are millions of those.
Most don’t last, but this one might.
You like it?
You’re a Marxist?
No.
I don’t, actually.
No.
I don’t particularly care.
I’ll add it to the next edition of my political slang book, though.
How about that?
All right.
That sounds good.
And if you have a nomination, give us a call.
The number is 1-877-929-9673 or email us.
The address is words@waywordradio.org.
