Wordie.org - Fun for Logophiles (Word Lovers)

Are you a logophile? Don't worry, I didn't know either. Logophiles are people who love words. Wordie.org is dedicated to them, as the site does little more than allow users to post lists of words. These lists can serve any purpose or none at all: words that are fun to say, words that are acronyms for text messaging (such as ROFLMAO - Rolling on Floor Laughing My A## Off), two-letter words that are legal in Scrabble, curse-words that you can't really get in trouble for saying, etc. Each word has a hyperlink buffet pointing to related entries from eight different sources. These include Google, Merriam-Webster, Wikipedia and Ninja Words. The site also has a bit of a social networking function, since you can see all the users who put the same words as you on their site, including the profile question of favorite and least favorite word. One could argue it is a good site to build your vocabulary, but that really isn't the purpose of the site. It is really just for fun and entertainment, especially for people who love words.

"Wordie lets you make lists of words—practical lists, words you love, words you hate, whatever. See who else has listed the same words, add citations and comments, and discuss."

It seems more productive and intellectually stimulating to waste time at wordie than on MySpace or a video game. Or at least to add it to the mix. Wordie is harmless fun, with the opportunity to learn new words and increase your vocabulary along the way (ie., RAFLMAO). And, the site even made it on the front page of the Wall Street Journal under the "Time Waster" column.

The creator has said he isn't interested in making a profit, although he admits he would accept a sponsorship from Scrabble. The design and layout are - as the creator admits - 1994. So, why not pursue Scrabble or Webster's or other word reference materials so the site can be spruced up and maybe even take on a meaningful mission.