October's TOP TWENTY

Concerns about a future outbreak of avian flu propelled pandemic and epidemic to the top of the list of the most frequently looked up words on Merriam-Webster Online.  In fact, pandemic became one of those rare words (last month’s refugee was another) to be looked up more often than effect, the usual top-spot holder.

See the full list of October's Top Twenty to find out what other new words made the list, and which ones dropped off.

Words in the News

Pandemic and epidemic were frequent look-ups last month, but they are just part of a constellation of terms having to do with the spread of disease.  A little rooting around in Merriam-Webster online resources shines some light on outbreak, epidemic, endemic, and pandemic.

Hot New Words of 1621

The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated by Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621.  The month we serve up a first helping of words from that notable year.

And for a complete list of the 87 words dating to 1621, go to the Collegiate Dictionary, click on Advanced Search and type 1621 in the Date field.

New Word Watch

Merriam-Webster editors are giving the following words serious consideration for entry in a Merriam-Webster dictionary:

*   cybersecurity noun : measures taken to protect a computer or computer system (as on the Internet) against unauthorized access or attack

*   sandwich generation noun : a generation of people who are caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children

*   text messaging noun : the sending of short text messages electronically esp. from one cell phone to another

Do you have a suggestion for a word we should be watching for? E-mail us at comments@word.com, and we’ll tell you what we have on that word so far.

Notable and Quotable

The words of humorist Mark Twain, who was born November 30, 1835, appear throughout Webster’s Third to illustrate words used in context.  Click here to start your tour.

Remember, finding quotations from an author is easy. Just choose your reference—the Unabridged Dictionary or the Collegiate—and click on Advanced Search. Type the last name of the author in the Author Quoted box and click on Search.

Word History of the Month: Jim Crow

The passing of Rosa Parks on October 24 brought the phrase Jim Crow back into many people’s conversation.  For those who wondered about the origins of this term, here's the story.

From the Mail Server

A word lover mulling over the effects of Hurricane Katrina sought information about the word picayune. And as the Supreme Court stayed in the headlines, our editors found themselves mounting a defense of the dictionary pronunciation of oyez. Finally, they had some fun by tripping over the tropes fantastic:  explaining metonymy versus synecdoche.

Need some assistance puzzling out the meaning of trickier words? Treat yourself to the Language Research Service available at lrs@merriam-webster.com.

Language Links

The Web holds plenty of lists posted by word-lovers. Why not let these collections of homonyms (here and here) or this one of heteronyms (here) inspire a list or two of your own?  If you see any good ones, they left out, let us know at comments@word.com.

Puzzle Corner

Bout-rimes translates as rhymed ends in French.  It also names a literary game dating back to 17th-century France.  Want to give it a try?  Click here.