Possible W of some Y: "exactly"

[Joel S. Berson]

"Exactly" -- becoming extremely common among television and radio
news reporters and interviewees in response to some question or
statement.  The meaning is simply "yes", but the not-so-hidden
message is "how percipient of you to ask--or say--that, and how well
you've said it."

But perhaps my timing is behind the wave and my knowledge behind the curve.*

Joel

*"Behind the curve" is not in OED2.

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org