A New Language for a “Changed” Nation — The Obama Lingua
First there were accusations of “Obamamania” (some say “Obamania”) by naysayers crying “Nobama!” Now, as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to implement his message of change, a new language seems to have been created, at home and abroad. The country of Croatia now translates Obama’s new nation as “OBAMERIKA.” Obama’s election has unleashed a barrage of “Barackisms” or “Obamanyms.”
OBAMAPHORIA: The postelection rapture that swept over Obama’s supporters worldwide.
OBAMANATION: A twist on ”abomination,” expressed by evangelicals and other conservatives who oppose Obama’s stance on abortion, gay marriage and other social issues.
OBAMARAMA: The celebrations around the Jan. 20, 2009, inauguration.
OBAMANOS: A play on ”Vamonos,” or ”Let’s go,” among Obama fans in Mexico.
OBAMATOPIA: The political paradise that Obama’s staunchest supporters hope he’ll usher in.
OBAMALUJAH: Exultation shouted by his fans.
OBAMATRONS: The policy wonks who will occupy the West Wing of his White House.
OBAMASCOPE: Media scrutiny of the new leader. (Example: ”One hundred days after Barack Obama took office, newspaper editors put the president’s economic plan under the Obamascope.”)
OBAMANATOR: Hollywood-inspired nickname for the new president — even if he’s got what California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends are ‘’skinny legs” and ‘’scrawny little arms.”
OBAMALICIOUS: Complimentary term used by those who like Obama’s looks.
OBAMALOHA: Goodbye, Obama-style, with a nod to Hawaii, his birthplace.
OH-BAMA: Joyful exclamation, via headlines in the Kennebec, Maine, Journal, The Register-Guard in Eugene, Ore., and The Namibian, from the southern African country of Namibia.
BAMELOT: Description of his presidency, from a New York Post headline that played on the youth and freshness of John F. Kennedy’s administration that came to be known as ”Camelot.”
OBAMERIKA: Headline from the Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.
BARACKSTAR: Description from those who believe Obama is ”the Mick Jagger of politics” (from Slate.com).
From “Obamatrons Sing Obamalujah.”
