n. The combination of China and India in reference to both countries' investment potential. The economy of each country is in a growth spurt and each stock market has incredible upside.

I suppose this term could cause offence to some. It shouldn't. It's a lazy man's blend. It's almost too appropriate. A large, economic force that, combined, could account for 50% of the world economy within forty years. It's about a number and a trend, it isn't connecting either country's politics, cultures, religions, or people.

The word Chindia is about the power the two nations could possess. China's economy and strength on the world stage is all but assured. If trade between China and India continues to be prosperous for both, however, India will too be an in-creasingly formidable nation. As an idea Chindia has more relevance than as a word.

The word is somewhat sophomoric and doesn't match the humor of a portmanteau like, "eliphino", which is, of course, the combination of an elephant and a rhinoceros. It can't compete with the adroitness of "internet", which combines "international" and "network." It also isn't as trite as "infotainment." Clever or not, these are all examples of slamming two words together to avoid "and" and shorten two words into one idea. Sometimes the quest for efficiency meets the quest to be cute.

exc. Abbreviation of "Oh my god!" or, variously, "Oh, mygod!", "Omigod" or "Oh. My. GAWD."

An expression of awe or surprise, previously shortened from the formal, "O! The diety to whom I attribute the creation of the universe/salvation of mankind/wrathful intervention, etc. I evoke his/her title in awe of the situation before me!"

OMG surfaced in the mid nineties with the proliferation of internet "chat". With an emphasis on speed, it was always easier, regardless of one's WPM on AIM or ICQ, to spit out an OMG , rather than to type the phrase outright.

OMG has recently sprung forth from the realm of electronic conversation and embedded itself firmly in common speech. ex: "Philomena, what thought you of my basson performance?" "It rawked, Brigham, OMG!"

A brief exploration into pronouncing the acronym ("AhMG") was quickly stifled by the difficulties of following a bilabial nasal with a voiced labio-palatal stop.

see aslo: LOL, WTF, TTYL

adj. One of several new terms spawned in the aftermath of September 11 in an attempt to know (or at least name) thy enemy.

Linguistically, certainly, Islamofascism is superior to previous attempts to name or brand radical, Islamic terrorists. It is one word, giving it the advantage of brevity and concision. It also scores high on all roll-off-the-tongue indices. The language of fascism often makes a satisfying suffix when identifying evil-doers, such as an earlier age's Feminazi. These advantages, however, have not resulted in common usage.

One of the George W. Bush administration's undeniable strengths is its ability to name, rename, and generally deploy language to illuminate or obfuscate its goals and actions. However, a few of the events surrounding September 11 and the War on Terror (itself an unsatisfying variation of Bush the Elder's War on Drugs) have eluded neat classification.

The Administration's lack of subtlety in its use of language, usually such a strength, now hinders, as a less hospitable political climate calls for moderation to appeal to a skeptical citizenry. Aural satisfaction aside, Islamofascism is yet another failure in the War on Terror name game. Leaving aside its inability to catch on in common parlance, it is unclear what, exactly Islamofascism might be. Whatever else radical, Islamic terrorists may be, they are not overly zealous supporters of the State. Their repressive policies may resemble some fascist traits, but their political beliefs are disparate.

The Bush Administration has had more success naming in the policy arena. The discussion of terrorism is, perhaps, too pervasive for words as precious as Islamofascism. Language intended to be used on a daily basis need not be so flashy and could benefit from fewer syllables as well as a less confused etymology.

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