# The Celebrity Death Pool 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** death-pool\ **Created:** [December 1, 2007, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439 "2007-12-01T11:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 61
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1202 "2008-11-07T04:08:12Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > What does the one word sentence “Word.” mean? I had to ask a friend of mine who is the parent of Young People when it was used in a reply to me on the 'Dope…was I being Dissed or praised? It means, “I agree wholeheartedly”. In the 19th century they would exclaim, “Hear him! Hear him!” Perhaps the best equivalent from the '70s is “This is true.” ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1203 "2008-11-07T04:14:48Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I had to ask a friend of mine who is the parent of Young People when it was used in a reply to me on the 'Dope…was I being Dissed or praised? It means, “I agree wholeheartedly”. In the 19th century they would exclaim, “Hear him! Hear him!” > Perhaps the best equivalent from the '70s is “This is true.” Thank you. At least your suggestion from the '70s, when I was indeed “a young person”, makes sense. I guess I am now officially an old fart. And I don’t want to appear on anyone’s DP list next year, thank you. Syllable. ---
**Author:** ![BACI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce73a5/32.png) [@BACI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BACI)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1204 "2008-11-07T04:22:57Z")
I believe it to be the contracted form of the clumsy and unweildy expression, “My word”. Bro. M ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1205 "2008-11-07T04:24:49Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > as indeed “a young person”, makes sense. I guess I am now officially an old fart. And I don’t want to appear on anyone’s DP list next year, thank you. Syllable. That would disqualify the Doper, and make you Immortal. Verb. ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1206 "2008-11-07T04:30:49Z")
Yes, those on my list continue to defy the grim reaper as well, including Farrah Fawcett, who I thought surely would be gone by now. But no, she’s probably working on a “How I beat the Big C” book too! Heh, knock on wood for her, I am glad that she’s doing better. Oh and **carniverousplant** , I love your .sig! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1207 "2008-11-07T04:38:21Z")
> [@tarragon918](#): > > Oh and **carniverousplant** , I love your .sig! 🙂 And your gender is…? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1208 "2008-11-07T12:02:15Z")
Critic and commentator [John Leonard has died at 69](http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2008/11/07/john_leonard/). He may be remembered by many from his regular appearances on CBS’s _Sunday Morning_ TV magazine program. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1209 "2008-11-07T13:20:14Z")
[Larry James](http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/8766648/U.S.-Olympic-gold-medalist-Larry-James-dies-at-61?MSNHPHMA), who won two track medals in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, has died at the age of 61. James took the silver in the 400 meters, and also helped the USA win gold in the 4x400 relay. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1210 "2008-11-07T13:42:18Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Word. My guys are writing books about how they beat the big C. Then things are looking up for you. Hang on to those names, because they will invariably be dead of the Big C 6 months after the books are released. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1211 "2008-11-07T13:43:51Z")
> [@tarragon918](#): > > Oh and **carniverousplant** , I love your .sig! 🙂 I thought Voldemort just accepted the job as Obama’s Chief of Staff. 😕 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1212 "2008-11-07T14:25:31Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#): > > [Larry James](http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/8766648/U.S.-Olympic-gold-medalist-Larry-James-dies-at-61?MSNHPHMA), who won two track medals in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, has died at the age of 61. James took the silver in the 400 meters, and also helped the USA win gold in the 4x400 relay. Yet more reassuring evidence that running will kill you. My far more sensible exercise routine revolves around chewing and sucking (things through straws). ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1213 "2008-11-07T14:25:49Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > What does the one word sentence “Word.” mean? Sorry for the confusion- parent of Young People here. I almost responded with “true dat” which would probably have caused the same reaction. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1214 "2008-11-07T16:53:59Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > I almost responded with “true dat” which would probably have caused the same reaction. 😃 Hear her! Hear her! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1215 "2008-11-08T06:29:17Z")
Tetsuya Chikushi, one of Japan’s last real journalists, has passed away at 73. Link: > **[Tetsuya Chikushi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetsuya_Chikushi)** > > Tetsuya Chikushi (Japanese: 筑紫 哲也, Chikushi Tetsuya, 23 June 1935 – 7 November 2008) was a Japanese journalist, TV presenter and news anchor. > Chikushi was born in Hita, Ōita on 23 June 1935. He graduated from Waseda University's school of political science and economics, and joined the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in 1959 as a reporter. > He worked for the Asahi Shimbun's political news department, Okinawa bureau, and Washington bureau, before being appointed as managing editor of the Asahi Journal ma... Sad on two counts. One: he was one of the classic “champion the rights of the little people and root out corruption” reporters that are so hard to find today, and Two: I picked the wrong Japanese reporter with cancer. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2008, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1216 "2008-11-08T12:46:07Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > Sorry for the confusion- parent of Young People here. I almost responded with “true dat” which would probably have caused the same reaction. 😃 It would indeed, even though I have three kids. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1217 "2008-11-10T22:44:54Z")
[Miriam Makeba](http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i_9vA53KQLAW8LH3fNDQjM_gikNg), who gave voice to South Africa’s struggle against apartheid even as she was exiled from her home country for more than thirty years, has died at the age of 76. The singer collapsed during a concert in Italy. She won the Best Folk Recording Grammy in 1965 for the album _An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba_, on which she teamed with Harry Belafonte. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1218 "2008-11-10T22:58:49Z")
Not a person, but certainly a “celebrity” much the same way Wall\*E and R2-D2 are. [RIP Mars Phoenix lander.](http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE4A97FJ20081110) > [@](#): > > NASA scientists said on Monday they could no longer communicate with the Phoenix Mars Lander and were calling an effective end to its five-month-plus mission on the Red Planet. > > Mission engineers last received a signal from the lander on November 2, the space agency said. > > As anticipated, the seasonal decline in sunshine at the space probe’s polar landing site is providing too little sunlight to recharge the lander’s batteries, a situation that occurred three weeks earlier than expected because of dust storms, NASA said. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1219 "2008-11-11T00:32:18Z")
> [@Sternvogel](#): > > [Miriam Makeba](http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i_9vA53KQLAW8LH3fNDQjM_gikNg), I heard about her on NPR this morning. I would like to hear some Xhosa jazz. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1220 "2008-11-11T02:45:54Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I heard about her on NPR this morning. I would like to hear some Xhosa jazz. From another thread, a link to the [Click Song.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mwh9z58iAU) ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439/1221 "2008-11-11T17:15:22Z")
Indians pitcher and broadcaster [Herb Score](http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cle), at 75. He was the voice of the Tribe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439.md?page=60) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-celebrity-death-pool-2008/428439.md?page=62)