Now usually I have a strong stomach for blog terminology, but something about the phrase "Dan's Metablog" makes me want to add "may god have mercy on their souls."

But I've been surprised by my interest in blogs, and I want to continue blogging about blogs on the side, after "Dan's research" will have become a misnomer. So... suggestions welcome. "Dan's blog blog"?

Better like this, or better like this?

I don't really have a visceral reaction to many words — I remember the disgust when the Politician's wife heard me compliment "goofy," as in "I rode it goofy-footed." I have a ton of favorite words, but there are a few terms I do dislike:

Decimated. Used correctly maybe 2% of the time. Normally I'd be forgiving of words adopting new meaning (etymological fallacy, etc.) but the deci- prefix is right there. Also, you mean destroyed. So say destroyed.

Progressive. I'm sorry, but I never had a problem with "liberal." Maybe it's because I'm from Minnesota, where Wellstone kept the word alive when it was dying elsewhere. I admit, "progressive" makes a good counterpoint to "conservative," but it feels like such a would-be mind-shunt. And if you have to abandon "liberal," presumably because Republicans have so thoroughly perjorated it that the label becomes a political nonstarter, well, how long do you really have until they do the same thing to "progressive."

Blogpack. A group of bloggers writing on the same topic. Ugliest blog-word ever; I'm glad it didn't stick. By the way: "Bomb the Blogosphere" T-shirts are hilarious. It's on my "five-figure wishlist."

Someday I'll feel comfortable wearing my old Blogger shirt in public again. Maybe if it fit better I could take the odd looks.

Just happens. Really a phrase, but almost always used for evil. If it's the most important thing about your subject, don't tell us he "just happens" to be a whatever.

Bright. As in "atheist." As in "let's get everyone to think we're smug jerks."

Maybe I'll come up with a best and worst word list later. Yeah, that sounds like something I'd do.