The General Situation

Vocab Lesson: Moasting

Moast (verb): To simultaneously brag and whine. "One of the best neologisms to bubble up during the Internet era is 'moasting,'  a verb that combines the words moaning and boasting," wrote Dwight Garner in his recent New York Times review of Public Enemies by Bernard-Henri Lévy and Michel Houellebecq. "Everyone moasts, sometimes, but media creatures on Twitter have perfected the form: 'Racing from Washington for a Charlie Roase taping. What's happened to the quiet car on the Acela?'" (Thanks to Laurie for pointing it out.)

Vocab Lesson: Halfalogue

Halfalogue (noun): One side of an overheard telephone conversation. "Lauren L. Emberson, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at Cornell University, used to get so distracted by cellphone conversations overheard on the bus that she couldn't focus on reading. It made her wonder whether hearing only half a conversation—a 'halfalogue,' she calls it—is somehow more disturbing than hearing the whole discussion" (New York Times, Sept. 28, 2010).

Vocab Lesson: Wall Power

Wall power (noun): "Who bought the painting repeatedly described by Christie's as a 'trophy' with the tremendous visual impact that is now being called 'wall power'?" (Roberta Smith in the New York Times, on the sale at auction of a 1932 Picasso for $106.5 million.)

Vocab Lesson: Chuckle Fucker

Chuckle fucker (noun): A groupie for comedians. "honestly, i can't date another comedian," wrote Molly McAleer on her blog, "or I'm going to get stamped a chuckle fucker if i'm not already and i can't handle that. and i can't date an accountant because i smoke too much pot."

Vocab Lesson: Stooper

Stooper (noun): "A person who hangs around racetracks and betting parlors picking up tickets thrown away by others," as defined in a New York Times profile of Jesus Leonardo, "the Secretariat of stoopers."