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Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
IctoanAWEWawi Started conversation Apr 30, 2010
So, along with the TV in the UK having a New Thing (tm) - the leader debates - I think I've spotted what might be a new phrase or term coming from them.
For them as ain't seen them, they overlay an audience panel's reaction to each speaker as the debates happen. This reaction is represented as a line graph over time with + or - rating for that party/person. So if the audience like what they say it goes up. If they don;t it goes down. Actually, watching the correlation is interesting cos it doesn't actually seem to have that much to do with what is said. But never mind.
The line seems to have been termed 'the worm' with presenters telling us to watch the worm and refering to how 'the worm' moves over time.
The phrase itself - 'the worm' - seems to have the right levels of conciseness and slightly amusing oddity about it to move into other areas of use. Not saying it will, it just struck me the other night that it could be used as a term in regard to popularity.
Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
KB Posted Apr 30, 2010
I can imagine a new phrase coming out of that. Maybe when trends show a resurgent underdog - summat like "the worm has turned", perhaps?
Nah, it would never catch on.
Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
Menthol Penguin - Currently revising/editing my book Posted Apr 30, 2010
I think "I agree with Nick" might become quite popular.
Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
IctoanAWEWawi Posted Apr 30, 2010
I think that is exactly the sort of thing that could get confused and become a new use KB. Similar to the way other phrases are changing their meaning. Instead of being a specific positive turn, it could just come to mean any turn of fortune.
But then I know I tend to over analyse these things!
And welcome in my journal, didn't know you browsed these waters.
MP - that and #nickcleggsfault - I just realised - the twitterers have been playing their own version of the 'What can we blame 2legs for?' thread! 
Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
KB Posted Apr 30, 2010
Yes, I'm sorry for butting in. (No, I don't usually browse them, but I just drifted in off your Science Explained question). 
I think you're right, though - and I'm fascinated to see how phrases like this emerge and change.
Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
Menthol Penguin - Currently revising/editing my book Posted May 1, 2010
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Maybe some trolling, sorry I mean constructive postings, could increase h2g2's membership?
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Ponderings on cultural change from the UK TV Election debates
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