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?)
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."
:-)
Posted by: mike | December 26, 2006 at 08:38 AM