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☆ Google is losing its status as a verb
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Alistair Barr | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Merriam-Webster dictionary added "Google" as a verb to mean searching for something on the web. "So long Google, the verb," wrote Mark Shmulik and fellow internet analysts at Bernstein Research in a note to investors. Related stories"Gen Zers, and especially Gen Alpha, barely use Google as a verb anymore, they simply say to 'search it'," Shumlik and colleagues explained. It might be concerned because when you're no longer a verb, that suggests you're no longer ubiquitous. So maybe Google is happy it's no longer a verb with the young folk?

Persons: —, Merriam, Mark Shmulik, Zers, Alpha, Shumlik, Gen Z, Shmulik Organizations: Service, Google, Webster, Business, Bernstein Research

☆ I'm an Airbnb Superhost who's had over 400 guests. Here are 5 things I wish visitors knew before checking in.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Katie Cline | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Although not all hosts are like me, here's what I wish people knew before staying at my Airbnbs. AdvertisementIt's really helpful when you tell me why you're comingI like to know why guests are staying at my Airbnbs. Emily ElizabethBooking an Airbnb can feel like going on a first date … but with a house. When I know who's staying at my Airbnb, I'm better able to curate my recommendations. Give me a five-star review or no review at allIt's not great when guests leave Airbnb reviews that are less than five stars.

Persons: —, I've, Gallant Fox, Emily Elizabeth, it's, I'm, Shandi Marie, Emily Elizabeth Think, Merriam Organizations: Service, Business, Saratoga, Webster Locations: New York, Lake George, Saratoga Springs, Bolton

☆ Live Updates: Scripps National Spelling Bee Will Crown a New Champion
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Emmett Lindner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

Tarini Nandakumar of Austin, Texas, competing Tuesday in a preliminary round of this year’s Scripps National Spelling Bee. The Scripps National Spelling Bee brings together more than 200 of the top elementary school spellers in the United States in a rigorous, three-day competition. Credit... Evelyn Hockstein/ReutersIn a recent regional spelling bee where he secured a place at Scripps, he was asked to spell brume. Bee week is quite the bash. Tarini, who also studies classical Indian dance and singing, advised Scripps newcomers not to stress.

Persons: Tarini, Logan Edwards, Logan, Pranav Nandakumar, Vanathi Senthurkani, ” Logan, Evelyn Hockstein, brume, “, ”, Sasha Kenlon, Scripps Organizations: Scripps, Spelling, Merriam, Webster, Texas, M University, ., Reuters, Washington, 173rd, 192nd Locations: Austin , Texas, United States, Rock , Texas, Greer, S.C, South Carolina, North Africa, Park City , Utah

☆ Why can’t we stop calling X, Twitter?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Saira Mueller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While some people (mainly fans of Musk) have embraced the X brand, most have not. Many people, both online and in person, still call the platform Twitter, and refer to posts as tweets. WHY ARE WE STILL CALLING THIS PLATFORM TWITTER. Even when you do see X, it's framed as "X, formerly Twitter". So the brand is what they say it is… it’s not that customers can’t stop calling it Twitter, it’s that they won’t.”

Persons: it’s, adieu, Elon Musk, — Jack Scalfani, ”, — Sherrye Pomeroy, Linda Yaccarino, It’s, ” Ramon Jimenez, Wolff Olins, “, ” Marty Neumeier, —, Musk, ’, Zoë Schiffer, Schiffer, Josh Adelson, X, x.com, ” Musk, wasn’t, Neumeier, “ It’s, ’ ” Elon Musk, Alain Jocard, James Withey, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Withey, — Sandy Horne Organizations: CNN, Twitter, Premium, Twitter Twitter, Global, Merriam, Webster, Oxford English, Liquid Agency, Elon, Musk, Twitter Inc, X Corp, Getty, The New York Times, Apple, Adobe, Google, Strategy, Innovation, Nissan, Datsun Locations: @sherrye_pomeroy, San Francisco, Paris, AFP, Frankfurt, Germany, @SandyHorne61

NEW YORK (AP) — In an age of deepfakes and post-truth, as artificial intelligence rose and Elon Musk turned Twitter into X, the Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.”Authentic cuisine. “We see in 2023 a kind of crisis of authenticity,” he said ahead of Monday's announcement of this year's word. Merriam-Webster added the word to its online dictionary in September and it's been among the top lookups since, Sokolowski said. DOPPELGANGER: Sokolowski calls this “a word lover's word.” Merriam-Webster defines it as a “double,” an “alter ego” or a “ghostly counterpart.” It derives from German folklore. Interest in the word surrounded Naomi Klein's latest book, “Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World,” released this year.

Persons: deepfakes, Elon Musk, Webster, Peter Sokolowski, “, ”, Sokolowski, OpenAI, Taylor Swift, Prince Harry, Musk, ” Sokolowski, ” There's, there's, EGOT, Viola Davis, Merriam, it's, Israel ”, Lookups, ” Merriam, Naomi Klein's, Naomi Wolf, King Charles III, Ryan Reynolds, Mike Johnson, recirculated, Donald Trump Organizations: Merriam, Associated Press, Twitter, Pixar, Titan, Covenant School, U.S, Rep, D.C Locations: Dubai, Israel, Gaza, Nashville , Tennessee, Louisiana, New York , Florida, Georgia, Washington

☆ What are neopronouns and how do you use them?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

And then there are neopronouns (“new” pronouns), gender-neutral or nonbinary pronouns that are distinct from the common she, he and they. All pronouns indicate identity and can be used to include or exclude people they describe — neopronouns included, said Dennis Baron, one of the foremost experts on neopronouns and their histories and an emeritus professor of English and Linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Other neopronouns are completely original to their user – some may choose to select a noun to describe themselves, like “star” or “starself” in place of binary pronouns like “she” or “herself.” These are called nounself neopronouns, but more on those later. Why people use neopronounsPeople may use neopronouns for the same reason someone else uses “she” and/or “they” — neopronouns may better align with one’s identity. An intro to nounself neopronounsLeaf, sun, star — nounself pronouns are neopronouns that use nature and other inspirations as nonbinary or genderless descriptors.

Persons: CNN —, ”, they’re, Dennis Baron, ” Baron, “, ” Neopronouns, Janelle Monáe, Emma Corrin, Jonathan Van Ness, Neopronouns, nonbinary, Baron, xyr, heer, ze, Ze, hirself, fay, Fae, Ey, —, Dua Saleh, who’s, Saleh, ” “, ” Saleh, aren’t, ” CNN’s Harmeet Kaur, he’s, “ heer, himer ”, Ella Young, ” Young, JWL, Noah Webster’s, Webster, thon ”, Charles Crozat Converse, thon, Michael Spivak, Jason D’Angelo, fandoms, Ehm Hjorth Miltersen, one’s, ” Miltersen, Miltersen Organizations: CNN, University of Illinois, “, Human Rights, Human, Netflix, Chicago Tribune, Sacramento Bee, Merriam, Webster, New York Times Locations: Urbana, Champaign, England, ”, Chicago

☆ A sanctioned Russian billionaire says the UK searched his multimillion-dollar London home illegally using allegations from a 15-year-old report
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman said a UK police warrant to search his home was unlawfully obtained, per Reuters. He wants to overturn the warrant which he said was obtained based on allegations from a 2007 report. Back in December, the UK National Crime Agency, or NCA, searched Fridman's multi-million dollar home over several allegations — including conspiracy to evade UK sanctions and money laundering — per Reuters. Cathryn McGahey, the NCA's lawyer, said in court filings the UK government agency admitted its raid on Fridman's house was "unlawful," per Reuters. An NCA spokesperson told Insider that it accepted that the search warrant contained technical errors.

Persons: Mikhail Fridman, Fridman, Hugo Keith, Cathryn McGahey, Keith Organizations: Reuters, Service, London's, National Crime Agency, European Union, Alfa Group, WikiLeaks, Merriam, Webster, NCA, Agency Locations: Wall, Silicon, Russian, London, Russia, Ukraine, Russia's

☆ Analysis-New anti-ESG rule in Missouri offers US Republicans another path away from 'wokeness'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

(Reuters) - A new Missouri securities rule offers a template for Republican U.S. state officials who want to advance an “anti-woke” business agenda even as such ideas struggle for legislative backing. Ashcroft acted after Republican lawmakers failed to pass a similar measure during the state’s legislative session that ended on May 12, amid infighting over which bills should be prioritized. Concerns over costs, bureaucracy and economic fallout led to bills stalling or passing in weakened form even in so-called red states, where Republicans dominate state government. Several corporate attorneys said other Republican officials may adopt Ashcroft’s playbook and act on their own. According to a spokesperson, Ashcroft initiated the rulemaking before the legislative session began, essentially as a backup plan in case lawmakers did not act on the same idea introduced in January.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, John “ Jay ” Ashcroft, Ashcroft, “, ” overreach, Ashcroft’s, ”, Beth I.Z, Boland, Lardner, Larry Fink, ’ Ashcroft, ” Ashcroft, can’t, Dan Mehan, Lance Dial, Chuck Gray, West, Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney Organizations: Reuters, Republican U.S, REUTERS, Merriam, Webster, Strategy, “, Foley, Republicans, Morningstar, BlackRock, state’s, Representatives, Republican, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri, Florida Locations: Missouri, Appleton City , Missouri, U.S, Boston, Wyoming, ESG

☆ Analysis: New anti-ESG rule in Missouri offers US Republicans another path away from 'wokeness'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Ashcroft acted after Republican lawmakers failed to pass a similar measure during the state's legislative session that ended on May 12, amid infighting over which bills should be prioritized. Concerns over costs, bureaucracy and economic fallout led to bills stalling or passing in weakened form even in so-called red states, where Republicans dominate state government. Several corporate attorneys said other Republican officials may adopt Ashcroft's playbook and act on their own. According to a spokesperson, Ashcroft initiated the rulemaking before the legislative session began, essentially as a backup plan in case lawmakers did not act on the same idea introduced in January. EXTRA ARROWSFinancial executives who so far have avoided the strongest laws worry that the possibility of executive or administrative actions, as in Missouri, gives state officials flexibility to keep up the pressure.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Walt Disney, Missouri's, John " Jay, Ashcroft, Ashcroft's, Beth I.Z, Boland, Lardner, Larry Fink, Dan Mehan, Lance Dial, Chuck Gray, West, Ron DeSantis, Ross Kerber, Greg Roumeliotis, Anna Driver, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Walt, Republican U.S, Merriam, Webster, Strategy, Foley, Republicans, Morningstar, BlackRock, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, state's, Representatives, Republican, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Missouri, Florida, Thomson Locations: Appleton City , Missouri, U.S, Missouri, Boston, BLK.N, Wyoming, ESG

☆ A Word That Became a Point of Pride
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Sarah Diamond | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In Word Through The Times, we trace how one word or phrase has changed throughout the history of the newspaper. The word “pride” originally had a negative connotation, in which a person exhibiting pride had an “unduly high opinion of oneself,” according to the Webster’s New World College Dictionary. One can feel pride in a personal accomplishment, another person or a city or country. For example, in 1863, a Times article called Central Park “the pride of New-York.”During the civil rights and gay rights movements of the 1960s and ’70s, “pride” experienced a significant transformation. Of course, the event is now known as the uprising at the Stonewall Inn, a moment that brought on the modern gay rights movement.

Persons: Bosley Crowther, “ Laurence Olivier, Darcy, that’s, ”, Merriam Organizations: Times, New York, Webster, Stonewall Locations: York, West

☆ US National Spelling Bee finalists vie for championship
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Brendan O'Brien | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Competitors are adjusted by a person who is off camera as they celebrate moving to the semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition in National Harbor, Maryland U.S., May 31, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File PhotoJune 1 (Reuters) - Eleven of the sharpest young spellers in the U.S. will compete on Thursday in the finals of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee, having survived three early rounds by nailing words like "zwitterion" (a type of molecule) and "polissoir" (a polishing tool). The finalists, who range from 11 to 14 years old, beat out a field of 220 other competitors who participated in the three-day contest, held in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. Scripps Co (SSP.O), the bee's sponsor, plus further monetary prizes and reference works from Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster. Last year, Harini Logan, 14, from San Antonio, Texas, correctly spelled 22 words during a 90-second spell-off to claim the top prize.

Persons: Leah Millis, Webster, The Merriam, Aryan Khedkar, Vikrant Chintanaboina, Harini Logan, Brendan O'Brien, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Scripps, Spelling, National Harbor , Maryland U.S, REUTERS, Scripps Co, Encyclopedia, The, Webster, ION, ESPN, Thomson Locations: National Harbor , Maryland, U.S, Washington ,, Encyclopedia Britannica, Merriam, Waterford , Michigan, San Ramon , California, San Antonio , Texas, Chicago

[1/7] Dev Shah, 14, reacts after winning the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition in National Harbor, Maryland U.S., June 1, 2023. REUTERS/Leah MillisJune 1 (Reuters) - Dev Shah, a 14-year-old boy from Largo, Florida, won the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, nailing the word "psammophile," meaning an organism that thrives in sandy soils, in the 15th round of the contest's finals. Shah, a student at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School, had correctly, and swiftly, spelled "bathypitotmeter" in the 14th round, but under spelling bee rules needed to land one more word to be declared winner. Shah, who was crowned champion in a hail of confetti before being joined on stage by his parents and other relatives, takes home $50,000 cash from E.W. Dev, whose hobbies include reading, tennis, playing the cello and solving math problems, tied for 51st place in the 2019 edition of the spelling bee, and tied for 76th place in 2021.

Persons: Dev Shah, Leah Millis, Charlotte Walsh, Shah, Webster, The Merriam, Dev, Harini Logan, Brendan O'Brien, Steve Gorman, Matthew Lewis, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Scripps, Spelling, National Harbor , Maryland U.S, REUTERS, Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School, Scripps Co, Encyclopedia, The, Webster, ION, ESPN, Thomson Locations: National Harbor , Maryland, Largo , Florida, Arlington , Virginia, Encyclopedia Britannica, Merriam, Washington ,, San Antonio , Texas, Chicago, Los Angeles

A meeting of the word panel was held on Sunday at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., to finalize the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee words. Here is a guide to the rules for the Scripps National Spelling Bee — and their small changes for this year’s competition, including a shorter allotted time to answer. A speller advances through them by correctly spelling a word and answering a multiple-choice question about its meaning. After the pronouncer says the spelling word, the clock starts. If one speller is correct, that person will be given a spelling word drawn from the Championship Word List.

Persons: spellers, Corrie Loeffler, “, ”, Jacques A . Bailly, Loeffler, Merriam, Johnny Diaz Organizations: Scripps, Spelling, Webster Locations: Oxon Hill, Md

☆ If you're worried about market volatility, here's how this advisor says you should handle the stress
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Andrew Osterland | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Behavioral finance tells us we are inherently bad investors, prone to making decisions based on emotions rather than evidence and self-interest. "We may think we're making rational decisions, but we're usually not," added certified financial planner Maurer, who is also a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council. By the time that most people react to events in the market, the market has already priced in the risk. "When it feels like the market is at a top, it's not unnatural to think about changing your investment strategy. "They are more likely to look through stock market volatility and do a better job investing for their future."

☆ Fact Check-Coronavirus does not translate to ‘heart attack virus’ in Latin
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Despite the Google translation for “cor ona virus” from Latin to English showing up as “heart attack virus,” language experts consulted by Reuters said this is not an accurate translation of the three words (cor, ona, and virus). While entering these words with this spacing into Google Translate does result in the words “heart attack virus” (bit.ly/3QF10bC), experts told Reuters this is not an accurate translation into Latin. The Latin word “corona,” however, is “actually a borrowing from Greek and has nothing to do with Latin cor, cordis ‘heart’,” he added. Experts told Reuters that “coronavirus” in Latin does not translate to “heart attack virus,” despite a Google Translate query shared on social media. The term is formed by two Latin words, “corona” and “virus” and the etymology stems from the virus’s physical appearance.

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