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Buzzwords are frequently used in news media. These are words that do not typically occur in everyday speech, but are common among newscasters, talking heads, and pundits on cable news.

These ‘news words’ are accepted by audiences for their implied meaning. But often loaded words are misused or used out of context. The actual definitions can be different than what is implied.

Newswordy is a growing collection of these words, updated every weekday. Along with each word is a definition, a quote with its use (or misuse) in the media, and a news and Twitter feed on the subject.

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Newswordy

Paltry.

1. (of an amount) Small or meager; 2. Petty or trivial.

Akin has not maintained a strong fundraising base in his six terms in the U.S. House. After his three-way primary for the Senate nomination, he had about $500,000 in the bank—a paltry sum to run a competitive statewide contest.

Susan Davis, USA Today