Birther was perhaps the new word that got the most political column space in a year that saw an unprecedented number of words being birthed. BTW, a birther is one who believes that Barack Obama was not born in the United States and therefore can’t be president. Ha!

Take a look at these words and phrases. They give us a clue about what we’re thinking, doing and where we’re heading as a society.

Deather: someone who believes erroneously that the government would have death panels under health care reform.

Botax: a proposed levy on cosmetic procedures. Meant to pay for healthcare reform. Comes from Botox – trade name for a substance used to smooth skin wrinkles.

Tenther: A person who believes the federal government is mostly illegal because it usurps rights that belong to the states, in violation of the 10th Amendment.

vook: A digital book that includes some video in its text.

Warmist: Someone who believes that the earth is jeopardized by becoming warmer. Shortened from global warmist and used mainly by people who are skeptical about global warming.

Jeggings: Jean leggings.

Octomom: Nadya Suleman, who gave birth to octuplets in January. Hope there are no more for us to use it again.

Clunker is now part of the auto vocab. From the exchange offer that allowed old, exhaust-fuming automobiles to be exchanged for eco-friendly ones.

Women said “hurray!” when recession was recognised as mancession.

Texting morphed into the unsavory sexting (the sleazeballs!)

Check out Wordnik.com and listen to the radio show “A Way With Words” for more.