What could possibly beat out ``tramp stamp'' and ``zombie bank'' as this year's hot word as deemed by the editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary?

``Unfriend,'' of course.

That would be the verb meaning to remove someone as a ``friend'' on a social networking site such as Facebook.

As in, ``I decided to unfriend my roommate on Facebook after she made fun of the tramp stamp that was peeking out from my shirt as I headed to work at the zombie bank.''

What's special about ``unfriend''?

``It has both currency and potential longevity,'' according to Christine Lindberg, senior lexicographer for Oxford's U.S. dictionary program, as quoted in the company's announcement.

She goes on to say: ``In the online social networking context, its meaning is understood, so its adoption as a modern verb form makes this an interesting choice for Word of the Year. Most `un-' prefixed words are adjectives (unacceptable, unpleasant) and there are certainly some familiar `un-' verbs (uncap, unpack), but `unfriend' is different from the norm. It assumes a verb sense of `friend' that is really not used (at least not since maybe the 17th century!). `Unfriend' has real lex-appeal.''

Lex-appeal? She said it.

Interestingly, ``lex-appeal'' is not among the nominees for this year's Word of the Year, but plenty of geeky technology words were, including:

intexticated -- distracted because texting on a cell phone while driving a vehicle.

netbook -- a small, highly portable laptop computer with limited memory.

paywall -- a way of blocking access to a part of a website which is only available to paying subscribers.

sexting -- the sending of sexually explicit texts and pictures by cell phone.

There were also words related to the economy, politics and current affairs, the environment and novelty words (we're back to tramp stamp).

THE ECONOMY

freemium -- a business model in which some basic services are provided for free, with the aim of enticing users to pay for additional, premium features or content.

funemployed -- taking advantage of one's newly unemployed status to have fun or pursue other interests.

zombie bank -- a financial institution whose liabilities are greater than its assets, but which continues to operate because of government support.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

birther -- a conspiracy theorist who challenges President Obama's birth certificate

choice mom -- a person who chooses to be a single mother.

death panel -- a theoretical body that determines which patients deserve to live, when care is rationed.

teabagger -- a person who protests President Obama's tax policies and stimulus package, often through local demonstrations known as ``Tea Party'' protests (in allusion to the Boston Tea Party of 1773).

THE ENVIRONMENT

brown state -- U.S. state that does not have strict environmental regulations.

green state -- U.S. state that has strict environmental regulations.

ecotown -- a town built and run on eco-friendly principles.

NOVELTY WORDS

deleb -- a dead celebrity.

tramp stamp -- a tattoo on the lower back, usually on a woman.