It begins here: The end of WTF and the start of WTD. Pass it on.

I don't know when exactly WTF became the new S.O.B. I remember as a kid the thrill I felt on having that MAD Magazine shorthand explained to me. Well, I'd be kind of embarrassed to have to explain WTF to an 8-year-old. As I've admitted before on TV Barn, though, I love the phrase. It was for me one of the great movie lines of the last year (the first words out of Philip Seymour Hoffman's mouth in "Charlie Wilson's War"). I use it more often than I should. I like it because it's authentic, the way SNAFU was in World War II. Plus, I'm nerdy enough as it is without broadcasting it by using "frak," that ridiculous bit of fake profanity used by fans of "Battlestar Galactica."

However, I can see how even typing WTF might reflect poorly on my character, kind of like Barack Obama's secret smoking or John McCain's admitting to having once had liberal friends in the media.

Fortunately, it just occurred to me that there is a better way to express my disbelief/umbrage at a situation normal all effed up. The phrase has been out there in the world for nearly a decade. But coining a phrase and popularizing it are two different things. Readers, that is the mission that lies before you and me.

WTD is the new WTF. Now, in my mind, WTD stands for "What the deuce," Stewie Griffin's go-to line on "Family Guy." But elsewhere on the web, I see it is used to mean "want to die," "what's the deal" (a Seinfeldism!) and "what the duck," which makes no sense unless you read this.

It's practically mainstream! But it needs a little extra push over the cliff. So I'm going to start using it right away. Let's see, what else can I shake out of my mail bag that I haven't already? Here's something: a screener from ESPN with this note --

"Kicking It chronicles the personal struggles and triumphs of seven soccer players from six countries who participated in the 4th Annual Homeless World Cup."

WTD??

Comments

[James]

I dunno Aaron, sounds like censorship to me. Self-imposed, but censorship none-the-less.

Although I'm now a fan of WhattheDuck.net. I also like how they post the entire post in their RSS feed. (ahem!)

...j