The Year in Buzzwords

NUCLEAR OPTION In an unsubtle effort to shut up the Democrats, Republicans threatened to enact this Senate rule change that would prevent filibustering of President Bush's judicial nominees.

JUMP THE COUCH Tom Cruise gave rise to this phrase, denoting the point at which people seem to lose their marbles, when he hopped on Oprah's sofa to declare his love for Katie Holmes.

CYBER MONDAY The day after Thanksgiving weekend, when Americans, having scoured the malls in search of Christmas-gift ideas, return to work and start making their holiday purchases online.

PODCASTS Audio and video downloads that broadcasters are cranking out in...

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