Top Political Buzzwords: 'Fahrenheit' Replaces 'Reagan'; 'Beheading', 'Sovereignty', (Edwards/Kerry) 'Hair', and (Bush/Kerry) 'Liar' Rise Abu Ghraib 'Torture/Abuse' and Rumsfeld 'Resign' Tumble

The Top Political Buzzwords PQ Index for July were announced today by the Global Language Monitor's (www.LanguageMonitor). GLM created the PQ 'Tracking' Index because of the rapid turn of world events and their immediate impact on political discourse in the U.S. The PQ (or Political-sensitivity Quotient) Index is a proprietary algorithm that tracks politically sensitive words and phrases in the media and on the Internet. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets, thereby separating the 'spin' and the 'hype' from the facts. The PQ Index is published monthly leading up to the US Presidential Elections on November 2nd.

Danville, CA (PRWEB) July 14, 2004 -- The press of onrushing events has resulted in a sweeping revision of the PQ Index of Top Political Buzzwords for July.

'Fahrenheit', 'Beheading', 'Sovereignty', 'Hair', 'Link' and 'Liar' all made their debut in the Top Ten of the July PQ Index (Political-sensitivity Quotient) released by The Global Language Monitor earlier today, (www.LanguageMonitor.com).

Paul JJ Payack, President and The WordMan of the Global Language Monitor said, "This is an unprecedented development in the life of the PQ Index. Not only did 'Fahrenheit', related to the Michael Moore film, knock 'Reagan' out of the top spot, but 'economic recovery' fell to No. 6, and Abu Ghraib 'torture/abuse' tumbled to No. 10. Furthermore, 'resign/resignation' linked to Donald Rumsfeld tumbled fourteen places to the No. 18 spot. This clearly demonstrates the rapidly shifting focus of the media during this election year."

'My Life' linked to the Clinton autobiography at No. 2 had the largest monthly gain, while 'beheading' surged over 600%. 'Hair' linked to the Kerry/Edwards ticket was up over 500%, and 'liar' when related to both Kerry and Bush more than doubled over the past months Index. And 'flip flop/flip flopping' relating to Kerry moved up 4 places to No. 11.

The PQ Index is a proprietary algorithm that tracks politically sensitive words and phrases in the media and on the Internet. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets, thereby separating the 'spin' and the 'hype' from the facts.

The PQ Index is published monthly leading up to the US Presidential Elections on November 2nd, and quarterly thereafter.

The July PQ Index with commentary by Paul JJ Payack and key factors follow.

July PQ Index                    

1. (Michael Moore) Fahrenheit

Comment: Catapults over every one, every thing and every event    

Factor: Up over 500% over June

Last Month: Not Listed

2. (Clinton) My Life

Comment: Jumps seven places since June PQ Index

Factor: Largest monthly gain

Last Month: No. 9

3. President Reagan

Comment: Was No. 1; still a very respectable No. 3

Factor: Holding steady

Last Month: No. 1

4. Behead/Beheading

Comment: Unfortunately one of the largest month-to-month gains    

Factor: 600% gain for the month

Last Month: Not Listed.

5. Sovereign/Sovereignty

Comment: The media is quite unsure of what 'sovereignty' means to Iraq

Factor: 'Turnover' is another well-used phrase here

Last Month: Not Listed

6. Economic Recovery

Comment: Losing steam as evidence seems to mount

Factor: Down four spots since June

Last Month: No. 2

7. Hair (Kerry/Edwards)

Comment: If hair makes a difference Kerry/Edwards has the lead

Factor: The hair 'issue' makes headway

Last Month: Not Listed

8. (Iraq al-Qaeda) link    

Comment: Debate over the 'link' of Saddam to al-Qaeda gaining steam    

Factor: The 9/11 Commission has fueled the 200% increase here

Last Month: Not Listed

9. Liar (Bush & Kerry)

Comment: Bush holds a 2:1 lead over Kerry in this 'poll'    

Factor: The Politics get downer and dirtier

Last Month: Not Listed

10. (Abu Ghraib) Torture/Abuse    

Comment: Dramatic drop from No. 3 in June

Factor: Media mentions actually drop some 25%

Last Month: No. 3

11. Flip Flop/Flip Flopping

Comment: Still haunting Kerry; up five spots since June    

Comment: Unfortunately for Kerry, still gaining ground

Last Month: No. 15

12. Misleader    

Comment: Up slightly month over month    

Factor: Nearly quadrupling since beginning of year

Last Month: No. 12

13. Embedded    

Comment: Embedded seems like yesterday's news; down 8 places since June.    

Factor: Losing steam

Last Month: No. 5

14. Shock-and-awe

Comment: Not so shocking to the media nowadays

Factor: Down four spots

Last Month: No. 10

15. Out of the Mainstream

Comment: The 'rush to the center' of the campaigns undoubtedly affects this ranking

Factor: Numerically holding even with June Index

Last Month: No. 6

16. Jobless Recovery

Comment: A Kerry 'mantra' that no longer resonates    

Factor: Down 8 spots

Last Month: No. 8

17. Quagmire (Iraq)

Comment: Becoming less an issue with the 'handover'    

Factor: Down six places from June

Last Month: No. 11

18. Resign/Resignation

Comment: Calls for Rumsfeld's removal way down

Factor: Only 50% of June Index numbers

Last Month: No. 4

19. Steadfast    

Comment: The President's retort to Michael Moore, etc.    

Factor: Numerically holding steady

Last Month: No. 13

20. Global Outsourcing

Comment: Losing traction as an issue    

Factor: Down 20% from beginning of the year

Last Month: No. 16

About The Global Language Monitor

The Global Language Monitor documents, analyzes, and tracks the latest trends in word usage and word choices, and their impact on the various aspects of culture, with a particular emphasis upon Global English.

The GLM is supported by a worldwide assemblage of linguists, professional wordsmiths, and bibliophiles to help monitor the latest trends in the evolution (and demise) of language, word usage and word choices, and their impact on the various aspects of culture.

For more information, call 1.925.367.7557, send email to info@LanguageMonitor.com or visit Http://www.LanguageMonitor.com

Contact: Paul JJ Payack, President & The WordMan

Global Language Monitor

(925) 367-7557 Phone

pjjp@post.harvard.edu E-mail

Http://LanguageMonitor.com Internet

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