Word of the Week: Anticipointment

Anticipointment: High expectations followed by a letdown. A portmanteau of "anticipation" and "disappointment."

According to legend, the word was coined in the 1960s by a Los Angeles ad agency that used it as the punchline of a holiday card whose outside read, in paraphrase: "At this time of year, just one word sums up the feeling in all of our hearts." Now used for any instance of media or technology hype.

(I read the ad-agency story years ago and have been unable to corroborate it. Anyone?)

Comments

[mike]

However! Due to the wonders of the Internet, one can take credit card and computer keyboard in hand and assuage one's anticipointment by noon on Christmas Day.

"So that's it then -- all the presents are opened! I hope you liked what I got you!"
"Yes, it was very ... lovely."
"Where are you going?"
"Just off to ... check my email."

:-)