In recent weeks, I’ve been writing about this term “teabagger” and what to do about it. In fact, it is the subject of my piece in the next National Review (which will be available in digital form on Friday). Today, a reader wrote to highlight this article, which tells us that “unfriend” is the Word of the Year. Says who? Says the New Oxford Dictionary. But my reader wanted us to know: “Teabagger” was a finalist. Kind of glad it didn’t win.

There is no proper language item in today’s Impromptus, but I do reflect a bit on this word “upstate,” as in New York. To many people — City dwellers — “upstate” means even a foot or two beyond urban limits. Wherever you see non-City: There is upstate. This has occasioned a fair amount of mail, including, “Jay, when I was a child growing up in Plattsburgh, N.Y., our family would drive 250 miles due south to visit relatives in Newburgh, in a mysteriously named region called ‘upstate New York.’ This of course confused me.” I would imagine.

P.S. Thanks to all who are giving to NRO in this webathon — how gratifying, and encouraging. Thanks again.