OT: Merriam-Webster identifies "most important word. . .

[Kibitzer]

. . .of 2015." They selected "-ism." Honest.

The M-W spokesman explained their (flawed, in my view) methodology, which was basically to count the "spikes" (i.e., frequency of usage, presumably in news media). Specifically, they cited: (1) the rise in "spikes" of fascism as the aftermath of utterances by a prominent public figure;; (2) increased use of racism after the Charleston tragedy; and (3) more frequent use of feminism because of increased mention of Hillary Clinton and Caitlin Jenner in the news.

The Springfield, Mass., base of Merriam-Webster, is no match for our Boneyard as a veritable hot-bed of spirited intellectual discourse, so it's no wonder that they selected a non-word like -ism as being important -- then overlooked a really important word like Genoism. And how could they overlook the exploits of Miley Cyrus or the ubiquitous Kardashians when discussing the spikes about feminism?

OK 'Yarders, here's your chance to identify a word that is new, unique, useful, or just plain Wow. No use of "four-peat," please -- we're not there yet.

GO!

 

[Bestiarius]

Morgantuckitis - An offshoot of Morgellons disease - people with the condition feel a delusional belief that they are infested with parasites and other objects.

In Morgantuckitis, defenders have the delusional belief that a pass into the low post immediately disappears and the UConn player's whirling around the defender toward the basket is a futile and silly move.

A symptom of the syndrome is the defender glancing at the scoreboard and finding an additional two points added to the UConn score. There is no known cure.

 

[alexrgct]

Well, "ism" can refer to a movement such as feminism like you said, or a belief system/school of thought such as dadaism or cubism. Finally, it can be readily referred to as an affliction

My least favorite movement? Vandalism. what I'd least like to have? astigmatism.

 

[meyers7]

Not a big fan of "isms". Me nor Ferris.

 

[BroadwayVa]

Meyers hit on this one: Me-ism, Center of the Universe-ism.

I'm aflected with Katie Lou-Collier-ism (known as the persuit of perfection-ism)
and also---Ekmark-ism, I want to be the best ism, or just let me play-ism.

Also with diseases I have a never to be cured---drop a letter-ism, or miss a few thoughts-ism

 

[Gus Mahler]

Well, intellectualism is a dirty word in some places. Actually, most places.
My workplace is infected with narcissism. Not a cure for that, either.