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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: 2008

2008 stories: 6 news summaries

(Newser) - The annual ranking of movie stars based on exhibitors' sentiment is out. Thing is, the Quigley Poll bases its list on what industry insiders think the stars brought in, not on hard numbers. Gina Serpe of E! takes a look at the discrepancies.
  • Will Smith: Theater owners had
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Shia LaBeouf • film • box office • Robert Downey Jr. • The Dark Knight • Christian Bale • Harrison Ford • Will Smith • movies • Iron Man • Hancock • 2008 • Quigley Poll

 'Green' Tops 2008's 
 Most Annoying Terms 

'Maverick,' 'staycation,' and 'game-changer' also make appearances

Jan 1, 09 12:23 PM CST
(Newser) - Did you get your fill of mavericks this year? Or companies claiming to go green? Those words made Lake Superior State University’s list of the most overused words and phrases of 2008, the AP reports. Other annoying winners:
  • Carbon footprint
  • First dude
  • Bailout
  • Wall Street, in comparison with
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
list • university • vocabulary • neologisms • slang • 2008

(Newser) - In the vast, fragmented online universe, videos tend to entice some and disgust others. But every year offers a list of viral vids enjoyed by all. The Washington Post runs down 2008's best:
  • Tom Cruise on Scientology: A rambling, fervent Cruise extols his religion, saying he's the "
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MORE ABOUT:
Internet • YouTube • Scientology • Tom Cruise • viral video • FunnyOrDie.com • Will.i.am • Joss Whedon • 2008 • Best of 2008

OPINION

 Top New Phrases of 2008 

Schott compiles list of 2008's most memorable neologisms

Dec 26, 08 10:55 AM CST
(Newser) - 2008 will be remembered not only for a historic election and financial gyrations, but for the words and phrases that came into use this year. Ben Schott, author of Schott's Almanac, lists some of 2008's most interesting neologisms in the London Times.
  • Terrorist fist jab: A blunt Fox News-ism
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • vocabulary • Carla Bruni • 2008 • zero percent • Best of 2008

ANALYSIS

 Google Taps Zeitgeist, 
 Finds Palin a Winner 

Alaska governor went zooming up search charts in '08

Dec 11, 08 1:34 PM CST
(Newser) - Every year, Google releases its analysis of the global zeitgeist based on billions of searches around the world. Newsweek reports the highlights:
  • Sarah Palin: "Obama" was the most searched for term overall, but the Alaska governor grabbed the top spot on the fastest-rising list.
  • Beijing
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Google • Facebook • list • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Heath Ledger • Jonas Brothers • Election 2008 • Sarah Palin • 2008 • Google Zeitgeist • Best of 2008

OPINION

 Morrison 
 Tops Times 
 10 Best 
 Books List 
 

NY Times names its top 10 for 2008

Dec 4, 08 3:41 PM CST
(Newser) - Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison's most recent novel and nonfiction books about two wars feature on the New York Times list of the 10 best books of the year. They include:
  • A Mercy: Morrison's tale of 17th-century slaves and masters is "part Faulknerian puzzle, part dream-song."
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
New York Times • literature • book • Toni Morrison • Drew Gilpin Faust • 2008 • Roberto Bolano • VS Naipaul • Jane Mayer • Jhumpa Lahiri • Julian Barnes • Best of 2008

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