Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Word Nerd: Refudiate



Merriam-Webster's "word of the summer" is refudiate. It became the most-often searched term on Merriam-Webster.com after Sarah Palin used the word twice. The only trouble with the word refudiate? It doesn't exist.

Here's an exceprt from the Associated Press coverage:
That didn't deter Palin when the former Alaska governor used it on a news show and in a Twitter message in July in place of refute or repudiate, which have similar meanings. Refute means to prove something wrong or deny its truth or accuracy. Repudiate means to refuse any connection with something or reject it as untrue or unjust.

I just love this story. Have you ever uttered a pseudo-word?

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