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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