Re: A Pursuit Some Call Outstanding... Or Emotionally Complex.

Dear Merriam-Webster:

OK, I'm not sure what your problem is, but I strongly feel that your Word of the Day yesterday was not only in bad taste, but blatantly rude. I'm not sure who picks what word will be featured, but your choice on my birthday, September 25, 2011, was simply wrong. Let's recap, shall we:

Climacteric:

1: a major turning point or critical stage

2: a: menopause

b: a period in the life of a male corresponding to female menopause

3: the marked and sudden rise in the respiratory rate of a fruit just prior to full ripening

Well then...

First of all, I find your use of the word 'critical' threatening. It's cold to the touch, it's inappropriate and I do not find anything even remotely cute or charming about it.

Secondly, 'menopause?!?' Really? On my 34th birthday? Wow. Low blow. I cried to my friends over this for hours and they tried to tell me some malarkey about you, Merriam-Webster, are sending out words to people other than me, but I don't believe it. My friends seem to think that your Word of the Day doesn't revolve around me, but I beg to differ. Case in point, August 16th's Word of the Day:

Defenestration:

1: a throwing of a person or thing out of a window

2: a usually swift dismissal or expulsion

This was a Tuesday, and I was having a bad day. I probably had cried twice and probably had an argument over gchat with Swede where he probably compared my stature to a leprechaun, granted I don't know for sure, but it seems likely. So how it is that anyone could possibly think that you're not mocking me is just plain ridiculous. Shall we give another example? Fine... Friday, July 22nd's Word of the Day:

Adumbrate:

1: to foreshadow vaguely : intimate

2: to suggest, disclose, or outline partially

3: overshadow, obscure

Granted, I don't have a clear memory of the exact circumstances, but I know that once again, you chose a word on a day that you shouldn't have.

Do you see a pattern here? Do you get what you're doing to my life? If you don't send me a detailed letter explaining why you act this way and why you hate me so, I will be forced to cut ties. It was bad enough you sent me 'Katzenjammer,' back in 2008 when I was experiencing one of the worst hangovers of my life.

You're an asshole, M-W. We're through if I don't get that letter by tomorrow EOD.

Best,

Amanda