Thought it may be entertaining to post the 2005 Words of the Year, as chosen by the American Dialect Society. From a state of non-existence to tabloid popularity, these newly coined words prove that our society is constantly evolving. Either that, or people are just getting way to lazy to look for the right word, or say the complete phrase.

Truthiness (Word of the Year). The quality of stating concepts or facts one wishes or believes to be true, rather than concepts or facts known to be true.

Podcast (Most Useful). A digital feed containing audio or video files for downloading to a portable MP3 player. From the brand name MP3 player iPod + broadcast. (and I am still alien to this, shamefully)

Whale Tail (Most Creative). The appearance of thong or g-string underwear above the waistband of pants, shorts, or a skirt. Also known as a longhorn. (I am so going to use this word in the future).

Muffin Top (Nominee, Most Creative). The bulge of flesh hanging over the top of low-rider jeans. (We witness so much of these unfortunate souls).

K Fed (Most Unnecessary). Kevin Federline, Mr. Britney Spears. (I second the motion).

Man Date (Nominee, Most Unnecessary). When two heterosexual men engage in an activity together without romantic implications.

Crotchfruit (Most Outrageous). A child; children. Perhaps inspired by the expression "the fruit of one's loins", this term began among proponents of child-free public spaces, but has since spread to parents who use it jocularly. (Can you imagine your mother calling you this?)

Holistic Practitioner (Nominee, Most Euphemistic). A prostitute. (Well that's putting it another way...)

Jump the Couch (Best Cruiselex*). To exhibit strange or frenetic behavior. Inspired by the couch-bouncing antics of Tom Cruise on Oprah Winfrey's talk show in May. It derives from an earlier term, jump the shark, meaning to (irretrievably) diminish in quality. (I never really liked Tom Cruise).

*Cruiselex is not itself a nominated word, but the term refers collectively to all the other Tom-Cruise-related words of the year.