h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There are certain words I simply can't stand hearing misused, though I wasn't fully aware of it before reading (alright, skimming through) the book 'Instant Karma!', which deals about popular music as a psychological indicator of a society.

Here are some words I hear being misused and generally prostituted almost everyday on TV and in newspapers:

STAR / SUPERSTAR - People got this confused with 'celebrity' and 'famous person'. A star is as high as you can get, you're a performer (I'd like to think) that people regard as outstanding. When you got people plastering their rooms in pictures of you, completely enthralled in the thing you do like no other could, you're a star. Example: Elvis, Michael Jackson. Not: Will Young, Norwegian porn actor Rocco.

IDOL - From my dictionary:
1. a. An image used as an object of worship. b. A false god.
2. One that is adored, often blindly or excessively.
That should put to rest the misuse of the title 'pop idol'. Kurt maybe won World Idol, but I'm quite sure he isn't blindly worshipped or adored world-wide. Get a sense of perspective! Because some sleazy TV-game calls somebody an idol, it ain't necessarily so, 'aight?

LEGEND - I still haven't heard this misused excessively, and thank God for that. I still like to point it out, though, for the people he should happen to read this. Dictionary entry:
1. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.
Here are a correct list of who I've heard been called a legend the last week: John Lennon, Bob Marley, Paul McCartney. Right on all accounts.

Thank you.