Word of the Year: Gimme some of that obfuscation.

Looking back at the NAC archives, I've used the word "obfuscation" at least a dozen times, with reference to the Floyd County Health Department, the abortive River View development, county government's designs for Community Park, the city council, the redistricting lawsuit, the Gary's view of downtown revitalization ... and even more on top of these.

As the Bookseller notes, it's that kind of word, especially when applied to political dysfunction.

Word of the Year Entry: Obfuscation

 ... I find it interesting that in each of these definitions, obfuscation is not an accidental event. It involves direct agency and intent. That is, those who practice obfuscation do so willingly and knowingly, fully intending to hinder ready analysis.

Of barnacles, biofouling and Bix.

This jazz website page likely is a remnant, but nonetheless handily confirms two of my recollections upon reading the Bookseller's reference to Hoagy Carmichael's song: Bubber Miley, an African-American, surely does play alongside soon-to-be swing era stalwarts Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa in defiance of segregated convention, and violinist Joe Venuti takes certain liberties with the background vocal in the second chorus. Listen carefully. Of course, Bix Beiderbecke is a great personal favorite.

The point: Barnacles. They're eaten as a sort of bar food in Portugal, no doubt accompanied by Super Bock lager beer.

Read it.

Word of the Year Entry: Barnacle (The NewAlbanist)

... In the context of New Albany, after a discussion with the contributor, we could not settle on whether the submission should be literal, metaphorical, or a little of both.

"Submissions Open for 2014 New Albany Word of the Year."

Over at The NewAlbanist, we receive notice of impending fun with words.

Submissions Open for 2014 New Albany Word of the Year

It’s a defining moment for New Albany and Southern Indiana. For the first of what we hope will be many years, Destinations Booksellers, in partnership with a local non-profit that will remain unnamed for the moment, will hold a competition to determine the 2014 New Albany Word of the Year ...

It's all about defining the city, much as Fauxcentennial, "quality of life" and no-brainer did throughout 2013.

... New Albany’s 2014 Word of the Year contest is designed to find that quintessential word that defines the city this year. The judges will honor esoteric entries, but keep in mind that the finals will be voted on by the public, so obscure and unfamiliar words might not quite measure up. Nonetheless, don’t limit yourself. We invite you to submit your word(s) alone or with an explanation of why the word applies so surely to New Albany.

The possibilities are endless, but my first nomination (of many) is agoraphobia. Send your ideas to the Bookseller.