Dr. Davis’ Dictionary of the Surreal
When I was in sixth grade, none of these words/phrases existed. Now, every sixth-grader with access to a television or laptop knows their meanings. In case you’re still confused - don’t worry - I’m here to help. Using the expertise afforded me by my self-proclaimed Ph.D Degree in Patrochism, I’ve painstakingly compiled these definitions to get you up to speed. Words (in alphabetical order, of course) are in bold text, with their definitions beneath them:
Blog
What you are currently reading. Duh.
Bushism
There was an oil man from Texas
Who needed more fuel for his Lexus
He started a war
tried explaining what for, but
on what he meant to say, we’re still taking guesses!
Celebrity Rehab
The attempt of washed-up actors, singers and musicians to rehabilitate their careers by generating the sympathy and voracity of the tabloids.
Cyber-bullying
A method of intimidation applied by parents to their teenage children in order to get them to switch off their computers.
Docutainment
Half facts, half entertainment, sort of like the 2008 United States Presidential Campaign.
Egg Harvesting
A scientific system of producing greater quantities of chicken eggs developed by the Easter Bunny, that will probably get him in deep shit with PETA.
Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
This term is a bit confusing to some, because it sounds a lot harsher than it actually is. You see, ‘interrogation’ is just another way of saying ‘interview’ and ‘enhance’ means ‘to make improved, or more attractive.’ So ‘enhanced interrogation techniques' are not as bad as the relentless questions your mother asks you about stuff that’s none of her business, but more like a give-and-take dialogue, a 'conference,' if you will, at which they serve extra-special tea and biscuits.
Gay Marriage
‘gay’ is synonym for ‘happy,’ so ‘gay marriage’ means ‘happy marriage.’ Because 'happy marriage’ is an oxymoron for many people, ‘gay marriage’ is still deemed implausible in most states.
Global Warming
Global warming is a wonderful happenstance. Due to internet blogging (see definition above) people from all over the world can communicate much more easily. As a result, we’re getting friendlier with each other, we can even say ‘warming up’ to each other. As a result, the globe is a chummier, ’warmer’ place to live than it used to be.
Googled
Past-tense of the verb 'to google,' which means 'to get very familiar with,' as in, “I googled him last night for over an hour.”
Homophobia
Fear of homeless people sleeping on subways. But in today’s economy, a secondary meaning is ‘fear of becoming a homeless person.’
Oprahesque
An adjective that describes anything that is showy, warm and generous. Synonym (UK)- DameEdnaesque, Antonym (International) - Cheneyesque
Reality TV
The difference in level of entertainment between watching Lucy and Ethel stuff chocolates in their mouths and a scowling Brit with bad hair insulting stars-in-their-eyes wannabes.
Reproductive Rights
The Xerox Corporation’s ongoing civil rights struggle to overcome the English-speaking world’s discrimination that “xerox” should be used as a synonym for “photocopy.”
Social Media
In this instance, ‘social’ is a synonym for ‘sociable,’ meaning we see emerging from our television nightly newscasts, our newspapers and our internet web hosts a happier, more upbeat and positive reporting of current events. This is accomplished by leaving out of the headlines anything ‘disturbing’ and filling our pretty little heads with fluffy pieces of drivel, instead.
Speed Dating
An unusual, serendipic circumstance whereby a female gets on a bus to go to work and on jumps a very handsome policeman, who tells her there's a hidden bomb onboard which he has to find and detonate while she drives the bus. After this is accomplished, they go out together for a coffee. ‘Speed dating’ occurs so rarely that when it does, a film is made about it.
Video Beatings
Described by cynics and bleeding hearts alike, as 'the pitiful cry of some teens who, in today’s uncaring, harsh society, are desperate to display their sociopathic, self-absorbed, shallow tendencies, in order to get help against such.' Described by realists as 'parents reaping what they sow.'
Truthiness
Pretty much everything you’ve read here.
I know my dictionary is not complete. I welcome assistance in making it so. Anyone who contributes a word and definition could be eligible for an honourary BS degree in Patrochism.
Comments
Twitter: What your heart does as you drink caffeinated products to stay awake all hours of the day to input every minute of your life into the computer so complete strangers can know what you're doing at any given minute.
PDA: 1) Small handheld computing device capable of losing your important data when the battery goes dead. 2) Person in India who is hired for five rupees a day to scan through websites compiling worthless sports stats for your Fantasy Football League. 3) A virtual pet that accomplishes more at work than you by just loafing around on your desktop because of that Internet surfing addiction of yours.
although are you sure about the 6th grade and up? 6th graders are not so smart anymore. hehe...
maybe 10th grade and up. :P
Blackberry - Little handheld electronic device that is so ridiculously complicated and user unfriendly that you would stand more chance of making a call on an actual piece of fruit.
Oprahism - Rather seedy confession made in a very public place which is followed by a lot of head nodding and applause for no discernable reason.
Springerism - the confession in a very public place that you've slept with a close family member or a household pet.
Soundbite - used mainly by British politicians it is a little phrase that sounds quite impressive but when analysed is found to have absolutely no meaningful content whatsoever.
LOL Springerism is my favourite, but I have to disagree with your def of 'soundbite,' specifically the part where it reads, "used mainly by British politicans." I live in the United States and I respectifully suggest that your politicans soundbites can't be more empty than ours!
Now that was GREAT!!! -Absolutely funny!
-I think my favorite part was when you said "self-proclaimed PH.D in Patrochism".
-TOO funny!
-Also, "Blog: what you're currently reading. -DUH."
ha ha ha
That would be all right!
-I get it already, but I think it could make for an interesting, and funny post!
tee hee
;-)
Yes, yes, you must...I always love reading your posts!
Speed dating, homophobia and global warming are the best!!!
"Yes, yes, you must"
I'm sorry - I didn't understand to what you were referring on this. What do you me
Sure thing, dinner it is. We can sit out in the backyard under the umbrella and swap life stories. =)
I had to laugh, a corporate engineer came sauntering into my office a bit ago and said, "I have the solution to your problem". To which I quickly replied without looking up from the screen, "Which one?" and then hastily enumerated them. He just stared at me for a few seconds, shook his head and said, "Dude, you've got too many problems". LOLOL. If he only knew the half of it. =)
You are just so funny !! I love this post..
Kzinti..Java Script is just so funny..!!
LOL "Microsoft." Wouldn't Viagra help this problem? Not to mention all those lovely folk who's emails trying to help me enlarge my penis end up in my 'bulk folder....
Yes, Kzinti is on a roll here today. You can really tell he was sick of work......
I read a few of these and I think, they're for real, aren't they? My gosh- they're brilliant! I really have to show these to my husband.....
WEBhosting
This is great. I'm visualising spiders wearing sunglasses, holding little drinks and chatting to thier friends, while a nice juicy fly roasts on the barbecue....
this is the funniest thing i have read in a long while
i am definately the person yelling "haa" out loud (just in case we are in the same computer lab)
Damn, this this crazy!
PHD > paranoid homing device, a.k.a. cellular phone, given to youths by their parental counterparts. PHD can also refer to the parents as they somehow manage to track down all your friends and yourself no matter how far and wide you go.
[I made that when I was 16, now, on my phone, my mom is listed as phd, when she calls, the screen says "PHD calling"]
Sure you should!
-Sometimes it can be quite funny!
;-)
LOL...yes, or just stupid.
Off to bed now... :-)
PHD > paranoid homing device
Have you really got your mother listed that way? Too funny.
I know what you mean about politicians, both in the US and the UK. My estimate is that approx 84% of what they say is devoid of any meaningful content and therefore totally pointless. I've got another word that's doing the rounds over here:
Happyslapping - The practice of slapping/ beating/ maiming a complete stranger who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So named because the mindless little scallies who indulge in this can only be made happy by some variety of mindless violence. Commonly filmed using a mobile phone (because the group will only have one brain cell between the lot of them meaning that they can't retain images mentally) and then sent to their friends by text to prove how 'tough' they are.
Great post by the way, it made me laugh!!
Gosh, and we Brits think that Americans have no understanding of subtlety and sarcastic humor! Absolutely Hilarious and oh so true. I could take each one point by point but that would just leave us laughing for days!
Gosh, and we Brits think that Americans have no understanding of subtlety and sarcastic humor!
Now, this compliment made my day, Amberfire! I mean it. I have always aspired to British humour- It's been my favourite so far. In my next life, I want to come back as John Cleese! : D
_
Interfacing: A better way to snog
May you be blessed for your encouraging words.
You're right, I should have kept my blog open. Oh well, live and learn : )
Thanks for the advice, I will definitely put it to use.
May peace be upon you.
Heh. Truthiness is my favorite. Who needs truth when you can have some sort of vague flirtation with the idea of truth instead? Wasn't it Reagan who said that facts are stupid things?
LOL I didn't know Reagan had said that, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Truthiness is Steven Colbert's word. I heard it's become so popular they are actually thinking of adding it to a new edition of a dictionary. They'd have to have some word to explain the Bush Administration's spin on Iraq, etc....
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading !