AOL News has a new home! The Huffington Post.

Click here to visit the new home of Politics Daily!

Hot on HuffPost:

See More Stories
Politics Daily

Sarah Palin Scores Big With 'Refudiate' and 'Alaska' TV Show

1 year ago
  0 Comments Say Something  »
Text Size
Mary Winter
Mary Winter
Assistant Managing Editor
Author Bio »
Contact Author »
Subscribe :
Her recent poll numbers suggest a slump, but Sarah Palin definitely scored two home runs Monday. The debut of her new TV reality series, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," set a ratings record for TLC Sunday night, and a mash-up word she made famous, "refudiate," was named "word of the year" by the New Oxford American Dictionary.

The new TV show, which features Palin fishing, watching bears and doing other outdoor activities with her family, delivered 4.96 million viewers Sunday night, the "No. 1 program launch in TLC history . . . besting the 'What Not to Wear' series launch in 2003," according to a TLC news release. Many writers and critics said Palin is hoping to bolster her image and her chances for a 2012 presidential bid with the TV series, but others said it just showcases Alaska's natural beauty and Palin's insights.

"Sarah Palin's Alaska" runs for seven more weeks.

And in another coup over her critics, Palin's use of the word "refudiate" won the endorsement of a decidedly academic crowd. The New Oxford American Dictionary proclaimed it "Word of the Year."

"From a strictly lexical interpretation of the different contexts in which Palin has used 'refudiate,' we have concluded that neither 'refute' nor 'repudiate' seems consistently precise, and that 'refudiate' more or less stands on its own, suggesting a general sense of 'reject,' " the New Oxford American Dictionary said in a press release.

Palin is not the first politician to use the word, but she set off critics when she tweeted in July that "peaceful Muslims should "refudiate" a mosque planned near the site of the terrorist attacks in New York City. When bloggers took her to task, she fanned the flames by referencing Shakespeare: "'Refudiate, 'misunderestimate,' 'wee-weed up.' English is a living language. Shakespeare like to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!"

The Global Language Monitor Survey, which tracks how frequently English words are used, also included refudiate in its list of 2010's most popular words, along with "spillcam" and "vuvuzela," The Washington Post reported.

Other popular words in the survey:


  • "Lady Gaga"
  • "3D [movies]"
  • "Great recession"
  • "Jersey Shore"
  • "Chilean coal miners"
  • "Tea Party"
  • "Anger and rage"

Filed Under: Sarah Palin
Tagged: dailyguidance, New Oxford American Dictionary, Refudiate, Sarah Palins Alaska
More articles from Mary Winter »

Our New Approach to Comments

In an effort to encourage the same level of civil dialogue among Politics Daily’s readers that we expect of our writers – a “civilogue,” to use the term coined by PD’s Jeffrey Weiss – we are requiring commenters to use their AOL or AIM screen names to submit a comment, and we are reading all comments before publishing them. Personal attacks (on writers, other readers, Nancy Pelosi, George W. Bush, or anyone at all) and comments that are not productive additions to the conversation will not be published, period, to make room for a discussion among those with ideas to kick around. Please read our Help and Feedback section for more info.

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum Comment Moderation Enabled. Your comment will appear after it is cleared by an editor.

7 Comments

Filter by:
buildsmarter

"I as a Republican" of 54 years don't see any honesty or concern for the country in Palin. On the contrary, her actions seem to be more about Palin. Further, attempting to bond with the country by participating in reality shows or dancing contests really... This country needs hard and sometimes unpopular decisions to be made. Obama has had to do that. Key word here "do" not dismiss.

November 25 2010 at 6:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
slowdad

I see some like to be critical of Sara Palin for using the term refudiate instead of repudiate. Let us not forget that during a recent speech by Obama he used the word Marine Corpse for Marine Corps. Most Liberals probably don't know the difference. I see that the criticism of Palin is purely political. At least she exhibits honesty, patriotism, and decency and I, as a Democrat of 35 years, don’t see any of that in Obama.

November 23 2010 at 12:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GIDAD1

I am a conservative and a registered Republican. I belive that Sarah Palin should run for House of Representative and then become the Majority leader and then have a face off with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. A CAT fight. No CLAWS please. I like what she is doing but when she quit the Governorship of Alaska I lost confidence in her to run this country as President or Vice President. I would NOT vote for her.

November 18 2010 at 3:29 AM Report abuse -2 rate up rate down Reply
karen

Liberals "refudiate" Palin because we see her as an "empty vessel" who's interest lies only in getting rich and becoming famous. We are appalled that her ignorance and superficiality are ignored by so many. Leading a country takes more than skills at making Moose stew, shooting animals, canoeing on a river and spewing out the latest "talking points". When she actually talks about serious issues and comes up with intelligent ideas for solving them in more than just sound bites, perhaps she'll been viewed more seriously.

November 16 2010 at 8:37 AM Report abuse -4 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to karen's comment
slowdad

That is right Liberals, refudiate Sara Palin, the candidate who had experience running a state, which is like running a small country. Obama had the experience of being a part time Senator who voted present most of the time to avoid letting Americans know his heart. Keep you eyes on your prized President Obama as he nose dives the USA into the ABIS of weakness, massive debt, Socialism, and then into Communism. Yes, Obama has massive experience as a community organizer and mentor for such groups like Acorn, and now the idol of such groups as The Black Panthers and flaunts his friendship with such groups like The Nation of Islam headed by Louis Farrakahn. Farrakahn is one of Obama’s best friends who makes no bones about hating Whites. The Farrakahn who was honored to host Muammar Al-Gadhafe the leader of Libya who’s leadership is responsible for downing the Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland killing hundreds, the same President who refuses to exhibit any behavior that may appear to be patriotic. Certainly we don’t want to replace such a uniquely qualified President as Obama. I expect that, if he runs in 2012, he will choose George Soros as his Vice President.

November 23 2010 at 12:28 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Jennie

SHE does not do anything to liberals--it is those who support her and her lies that frustrate any honest, intelligent American.

November 15 2010 at 11:05 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
dc walker

I went to Alaska in 1998 its more stupendous up close and personal. I hope those who have never been there, especially the outdoor types, will get to see it. The railroad stops running September 15 so August is a great time. As for what she does to the liberals, its too funny to comprehend.

November 15 2010 at 6:08 PM Report abuse +14 rate up rate down Reply

Follow Politics Daily

  • Comics
%PostTitle%
robert-and-donna-trussell
CHAOS THEORY
Featuring political comics by Robert and Donna TrussellMore>>
  • Woman UP Video
politics daily videos
Weekly Videos
Woman Up, Politics Daily's Online Sunday ShowMore»
politics daily videos
TV Appearances
Showcasing appearances by Politics Daily staff and contributors.More>>

News From Our Partners