Hoi polloi

Posted by David FG on December 03, 2004

In Reply to: Hoi polloi posted by DH on December 02, 2004

: : : : : : Words of 2004 at www.merriam-webster.com/ info/04words.htm

: : : : :
: : : : : DEFENESTRATION?!? Wazzupwiddat?

: : : : That one's been around a long time. It means throwing someone out a window.

: : : These were the words most frequently looked up on M-W this year.

: : What I mean is, I can understand why words like blog, incumbent, insurgent, hurricane, partisan, etc. are on the list. These words all figure prominantly in trends or events of 2004. But I can't think of a reason why "defenestration" is such a topic of interest. It seems totally out of left-field! Any suggestions?

: Perhaps because the hoi polloi discovered it and found it to be funny. I did, as I'm one of them--DH

I think my favourite incident in history has to be the Defenestration of Prague. Not only is that a beautiful phrase, the incident was ripely comic as well.

For those not familiar with it, look it up and enjoy.

DFG

• Not the hoi polloi Stickler 05/December/04
  • Why not the hoi polloi? Henry 07/December/04
    • Defenestration Lewis 09/December/04
      • A real pane Henry 09/December/04
        • Broken windows Henry 10/December/04
          • Defenestration as a famous event Keith Rennie 10/December/04