Lindsay A. Maizel

Merriam-Webster decreed “w00t” the number-one word of 2007. A hybrid of letters, numerals, shorthand, and hooting noises, “w00t” is defined as “an interjection expressing joy (it could be after a triumph, or for no reason at all); similar in use to the word ‘yay.’”

Instead of analyzing precisely why “w00t” reads better with zeros instead of “o”s, I offer some alternatives, taken from the big and the small screens.

1. “Doorman” (“Knocked Up”)—For reminding all the ladies out there that whenever some ’roided-out freak with a clipboard tries to mess with your night, relax. He’s just a fucking doorman.

2. “D’oh” (“The Simpsons Movie”)—Need to vent frustration without offending your family members? Consider this innocuous syllable. Plus, the pop-culture reference will reinforce your command of highbrow art. And it’s already in the dictionary!

3. “McLovin” (“Superbad”)—Because adding “Mc” before adjectives or nouns makes words palatable and more credible.

4. “Ratatouille” (“Ratatouille”)—As New York Times film critic A.O. Scott ’87 put it, “‘Ratatouille’ is a nearly flawless piece of popular art, as well as one of the most persuasive portraits of an artist ever committed to film.” Either Scott is taking too much Prozac, or the word, “ratatouille,” is just that much fun to say. I’m banking on the latter!

5. “Blurg” (“30 Rock”)—A versatile grunt, “blurg” adds dramatic tension to any unfortunate situation. Liz Lemon, you’re an inspiration to us all.

—Lindsay A. Maizel ’09 is the outgoing Film Editor. Um...w00t w00t?