Am I really out of it because I had no idea that the NY Times website has a feature that allows you to look up words you don’t know while reading an article? If you knew about it and have used it, the Times data analytics people are keeping track. Recently they came out with a list of the fifty most frequently looked up words so far in 2009.
Number one on the list is “sui generis” while “solipsistic” comes in at number two and 50 is “fecklessness.” It is a marvelous list. You can check it out and the accompanying memo from Philip Corbett, deputy news editor, at Nieman Journalism Lab (via MinnPost).
And, if you haven’t already, be sure to enter the book giveaway for The Solitude of Prime Numbers. Everyone is welcome to enter no matter where you reside. And those of you who have already entered, you are cracking me up with your explanations about why the number you chose is your favorite. Thanks for the fun! Drawing will be tomorrow, Thursday, evening.
Wow I hadn’t known that they ranked the words. That feature has always pissed me off actually because I always accidentally click some part of the text. But it’s definitely a cool feature–going to a dictionary is just too much work sometimes in the world of the instant.
Thanks for a most interesting post! Your link to the NJL is great… the article is just plain fun, especially the beginning paragraph. Sorry I don’t have big words for your post, just a simple word that speaks volumes: cool!
But that’s why I have the Merriam Webster Dictionary on my iPhone.
Fecklessness? That’s a word I haven’t seen in print in eons (excepting older books). Clearly I don’t read the Times.
Haven’t been on the Times website in ages so wouldn’t have noticed but that’s pretty cool. What do I do? I use dictionary.com which is so sad really. I mean, I’ve got a wonderful dictionary and thesaurus but they are not in the bookcase near my computer so I just go online.
That’s a great list. I would have to look up “phlogiston” myself … I’m surprised “louche” is used often enough to inspire people to look it up. And why do they need to look up “swine”? Interesting!
I had no idea, either. I love the word ‘feckless’, it’s such a joyous word. Had to laugh at Dorothy’s comment – I haven’t a clue what phlogiston means either!