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Things we've learnt today: Obama and Microsoft
It seems Microsoft saw soon-to-be American president Obama coming. The words Barack and Obama were added to Word's dictionary way back at the end of April 2007 (previously, the suggested replacement for his first name was Boatman, according to Slate.com).
The same fascinating Slate piece goes on to explain the differences between Google's word-matching algorithm, which tries to figure out just what it is users are searching for, and Word's algorithm, which tries to figure out what it is they're trying to write about.
It also includes some interesting information about how the two companies go about finding out about new words: Microsoft, for instance, anonymously scans its Hotmail users' email as well as the words people tell Word to add to their user dictionaries.
(Bonus 'thing I've learnt today', also from the Slate piece: the word 'overchicked' can be used to describe a man who is significantly less attractive than his female companion. The things people say, eh?)
Hahaha!
Overchicked, I like that. I see a lot of couples like that here in Medellin.
posted-by Zach | January 14, 2009 2:21 AM
I see a lot of these "overchicked" guys but they also have a lot of cash!
posted-by Warning dangerous spyware | January 16, 2009 7:07 AM
wow now that is pretty cute and the first time I heard of that phrase overchicked. But to tell you the truth i get it.
posted-by morgellons | January 19, 2009 10:36 PM
Microsoft as prognosticator! There's a new one! As in, the internet won't be that big, we don't need to target the browser market...hmm
posted-by Bill | January 20, 2009 2:16 PM