More Media Muck.

Well, since we all know I'm not stopping my searches for the Word of the Day anytime soon, let's dive right in again, shall we ? I know you've been waiting for it.

- 'taalverruwing' (language coarsening). This is a weak nomination: as an expression this does exist, as in 'haar taal verruwd' (her language is coarsening). But still. It doesn't exist yet, and I don't applaud turning expressions into actual words. Before you know it, we'll have catsanddogsrain. Or something.

I do applaud the Metro for this being the only questionable word I could find in there today. Thank god we still also have the free Sp!ts newspaper:

- 'terreurtraining' (terror excercise): There was a major excercise for emergency services and military yesterday, about twenty yards away from my office. It was all over the news, since they faked a terrorist attack during a pop concert, to see how quick and professional all necessary parties would respond to it. Of course, what makes it awkward that this headline, including huge picture, is all over the front page, with an *actual* bomb threat (including evacuation of the neighbourhood while the bomb squad carefully removed the explosives) and (ex-marine) terrorist on page 2. But that's besides the point: I'm not sure how many of these excercises there will be - granted, the war on terrorism (and fear thereof) is still popular worldwide, so I may be wrong, but I feel we don't need this word.
- 'superboerderij' (super farm). This refers to the province of Groningen who are investigating the feasability of founding a mega milk farm that can compete on an international scale. This company will be a major alliance between existing milk farms, will aim for treating their animals well, etc. - but get this, the article introduces yet *another* word: 'cowmunities' !
- 'toetredingsonderhandelingen' (negotiatons for acceding). This deals only with the European Union, folks - there's a few countries that want to join in on the fun, which some major players in the current Union don't favour. It's a media hype word - granted, the negotiations are reasonably old news by now, but still. This word will only live in the media and only while these specific negotiations are continuing. I recommend we disallow this word to join the Dutch language.
- 'koekendozenfamilie' (biscuit tin family). Apparently this word means 'family that looks happy on the outside but is sad and fake in reality' - it's used here to describe the Belgian royal family, by a playwright.

And the Word of the Day is... 'cowmunities' ! I mean, come on. No competition.