Awesome: A Confusing Word

Most people have a grasp of when it is appropriate to use the word awesome. But what does it really mean? For our purposes we’ll stick with it being an adjective that describes an object that inspires awe. This is where things begin to unravel. The word and definition don’t seem to match up. With that definition I would think that an object full of awe should be described as awefull but I am almost positive that awful would file an infringement suit and it would be a disaster in conversation, “No no, not awful I said awefull. Of course it was great, Mikey was there. You are very dumb and I don’t want to see you ever again.”

Luckily, as spell check keeps reminding me, awefull is not a word so that friendship from above is still in tact. So how did awful come to pass? In the 1800’s a fad occurred in which words would be spelt incorrectly on purpose. For example “no go” would be “know go” and the more commonly known “all correct” became “oll korrect” (OK). Perhaps that is how we got awful out of awefull. A failed early attempt in the misspelling movement, one that likely threatened to end the movement in its infancy.

After the misspelling movement there was awful (formally awefull) and awesome. Awful meaning full of awe and awesome meaning the object contained some awe. “I wouldn’t describe last night as awful but definitely awesome.” The problem with awesome was that it is difficult for an object to contain some awe - you either got it or don’t (kid). Luckily (unluckily) the late 1800’s was a tough time so awful began to be used negatively for the most part. “That was awfully bad.” Over time awful picked up a negative connotation and the “bad” (or other negative word) no longer needed to be specified so the sentence above would be, “That was awful.” This falls in line with today’s usage. Awesome slid over to what awful had meant and the former definition of awesome was eliminated. And that is where we are today.

So yeah I’d say the origins of awesome are a bit confus….I wonder if con could be considered a loaner word meaning with and fuse means to bring together basically so confusing would mean with together or with with? Now that seems confusing.

Oh.

Venn Diagram to Win Diagram/Chart/Graph of the Year for 2009

Reports out of The Diagram, Chart, and Graph Convention in Berlin have the Venn Diagram landing the award tomorrow. The Venn Diagram has not won in over 15 years with the Pie Chart dominating in recent years. Many experts believe this to be due to their resemblance of pizza and the increasing popularity in pies.



Some of the usual luster of the event has worn off as the location has been questioned. Numerous attendees felt that Berlin was not an appropriate host city citing a lack of sufficient lodging and venues. The European attendees praised the choice for its "decidingly different feel" than the usual New York or Chicago setting when the US plays host. One British voter said that the, "experience alone was well worth the trip." A German attendee stated that they, "don't have anything like this in [his] home country."

Eric Cox, a chairman on the Diagram/Chart/Graph committee, thought it would be a neat change to host the event in the former Nevada mining city that has long been abandoned. Cox felt that overall it was a success. "We gained some popularity and this convention has always been edgy," Cox stated. The governor of Nevada Jim Gibbons added that Berlin is an excellent reminder of the past in Nevada and much of the West at one time. Gibbons explained how Berlin was built around one industry. When the mining industry failed in Berlin, the town failed. He preached the importance of diversity in a city/state's economy. Depending too much on any one industry or even too heavily on one city (economically) leaves a state vulnerable "which is one thing Nevada will never be again. When people think of Nevada I want them to think of the wealth of industries that we play home to."

The Box-and-Whisker Plot once again won the Cooliest Name Award; making it 25 years straight.

Redskins to go with RBBC

It appears the Redskins will be employing a running back by committee style for the remainder of the season. Quinton Ganther will be picking up the start at Oakland but look for Cartwright and Smith to get touches too. Rock Cartwright started the season off as the main kickoff returner but has seen his role on offense increase as the team's other tailback options have dwindled. Hunter Smith began the season as the team's punter but his dynamic play making ability has thrust him into the middle of Washington's continuously evolving running back situation.

Going into the final stretch of the 2009 season Smith is one rushing touchdown away from tying Ladell Betts for the team lead and is in sole position of second in terms of passing touchdowns to Jason Campbell. The team would have liked to get Smith carries weeks ago but had to hold off with the uncertainty of Chris Cooley's (TE/P) return date from his broken ankle. As the team's only punter subjecting Smith to the hits he would have taken would have been irresponsible. Suisham averaged only 26.7 yards/punt this season before he was replaced with Graham Gano. Zorn appears confident in Gano's ability to replace Smith in the punting game if something were to go wrong.

Expect Hunter to stay in the committee for the rest of the season unless Campbell struggles/gets hurt. His performance against the Saints appears to have solidified his chances of finishing out the season as the team's top QB. Indications out of Ashburn are that if Campbell were to go down Collins would take over but Smith would pick up the first team reps in practice and get the nod the following week. Zorn said, "Hunter gives us a bit of a different look at quarterback. We would instantly become a threat to punt on any down, not just fourth. That is tough to game plan for on the defensive side...I would think."

Michael and Michael Have Issues

Personally I thought they showed enough in a short first season to give this show another go around. And I have to applaud Comedy Central choices last summer in giving the Michaels, Daniel Tosh, and Demetri Martin shows. Tosh saw his first season extended by the network and Important Things was picked up for a second season. No word on Michael and Michael...yet.

Clearly I am no expert of neurophysiology or television, so I have no idea if the show will be picked up or not. But if it is I know exactly how the following seasons will go.

Season 1: In the books, go watch it if you haven't.

Season 2: Mainly unchanged from Season 1. Demetri Martin will appear in the show (as will the Michael's in his show). David Wain makes a guest appearance, much to their characters' chagrin. To make matters worse Biederman announces in the season finale that Wain will be offered a featured role on the show due to his appeal to the 18-34 female demographic.

Season 3: After months of waiting it turns out Wain took the network up on the offer and joined the show. For the first half of the season the Michaels try to trip Wain up; until he proves himself by stealing Biederman's MP3 player in the episode entitled "Biederman's Fury". SPOILER ALERT: They sneak it back into his office after his increased ability to hear stops most of their capers before they get off the ground.

Season 4: A plot driven season. Michael Showalter's character, Michael, is forced into moving in with Michael Ian Black's family. Of course some ground rules have to be set up after Season 1's incident. I won't ruin it but let's just say Kumail is heavily involved. Showalter's presence leads to a strain in Black's marriage as they have been increasing goofy and David Wain is always not to far off, often bringing a different lady friend back to Black's place which he attempts to play off as his own single family home. His explanations of the pictures range from quite good to just absurd to completely honest. The honest one is less of a success. At the very least Wain's style rubs off on the other two and their wardrobes vastly improves within the show. But I digress. Black and Mrs. Black separate (in the show, ONLY IN THE SHOW) and it leaves Black and Show looking for a place at the end of season 4.

Season 5: The first episode revolves around Michael and Michael looking for a place. The network has put their show on hold and money has suddenly gotten tight for the crew. They finally find an apartment but they need a third room mate to make rent. Wain steps in to save the day and they sign the lease with a German land lord. Episode's 2-11 of Michael and Michael Have Issues will be Episodes 1-10 of Stella's first season.

Season 6: Stella Season 2.

Stella set out with the goal to get the second season of their show aired. And they will succeed about one decade later; as long as Season 2 of Michael and Michael is picked up.

So, I think the thing I am trying to say is, "Show, how 'bout some more Showalter Showalters, huh?",

Consumers of Molson Light Question Light Questions

The Molson "Answer Honestly" campaign must be considered a success. Some of the questions are of high enough quality to spark debates among their consumers. It adds a little something to the experience and can also work as a bit of an ice breaker. The Chief Marketing Officer, Peter Nowlan, took the program a step further by adding the questions to the Molson Light line but may have gotten a little too cute for his own good.

He added the questions but made them "lighter" to go with the lighter product. Below is a list of some examples:

To have regular potato chips with lunch tomorrow -OR- To have ruffled chips with lunch tomorrow?
To drive on a slightly cloudy day during non-rush hour -OR- To drive in sleet, hail, and windy conditions during rush hour when you are already running late?
To sleep eight hours a day - OR - To not sleep for a week straight?
To have front row tickets to an event -OR- To have upper deck seats, in the last row, behind a pillar?

As you can see it is pretty easy to pick one of the choices, except for the chips I am still thinking about that one. Mr. Nowlan gave two reasons for the new set of questions for Molson Light. The light questions keep the branding consistent with the product. He stressed the importance of consistence. Secondly, the profit margin is much tighter on the light product so, "We really like to steer consumers away from it." When asked why they even have it the line if it is not profitable he ended the interview. But when you think about it they pretty much taste the same and I'm not sure what I'm having for lunch tomorrow, perhaps a dip will get in the mix, so I'd go ruffles.

Rainbows and Lame Bows

The Gang and FOX Team Up

Always Sunny In Philadelphia stars Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Kelly will have their new series Boldy Going Nowhere air on FOX. While the three will not be able to appear regularly in the show due they will be making occasional guest appearances. Which should be interesting since the show will be set in a spaceship. Always Sunny continues to roll on FX and season 5 is underway, however, the impending show’s influence on Always Sunny can already be seen.

In the first episode there is a storyline involving a house in which the gang begins chanting, “House. House. House.” FOX’s hit show House, which debuted in 2004, had its own season debut coming up just four days later. Is it coincidence? Probably.