So "blog" is Merriam-Webster's word of the year (a personal favorite, peloton, placed #7). While this may be a year too late, I would still like to submit my vote for the #1 most abused word of the year, "embed" or any variant thereof.

Take this article on the journalist, or so-called "embed" (it's a verb, people), who reportedly coached soldiers' questions during Rummy's appearance in Iraq earlier this week. According to the editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, "I think he was doing what he felt he was embedded to do." If I ever claim that I am doing something because that is what I have been "embedded" to do, I grant my colleagues the authority to have me committed. You know, somewhere "upstate," preferably with a park bench next to a pond, so I can feed the pigeons.

Please do your part in putting a stop to this journalistic ego trip before it infects the entire profession. Otherwise, you might soon see this on a PFF press release: "If you would like to be embedded at our next conference, please contact Patrick Ross."