Couric & Co.
September 5, 2006 6:28 PM

Word of the Day: Gravitas

By
Greg Kandra
Topics
Word of the Day
When Katie was a kid, her dad -- a journalist -- used to ask the Couric children to come to the dinner table every night with a new word.

When it was announced that Katie would have a blog here at CBS, she thought it would be a great idea to resurrect that custom. The "Couric & Co." team has been hard at work, poring over dictionaries and ancient scrolls.

And after considerable digging, we've found our first word of the day: gravitas .

gravi-tas (grav'i tas) - n. Reserved dignity; properiety and good taste in behavior and speech, as of a leader or official.
That's all well and good. But personally, I prefer Katie's own definition.

After hearing that word a few times too often this summer, and hearing naysayers carp that it was something she needed, she finally decided: "I'm convinced gravitas is just Latin for testicles."

Add a Comment See all 34 Comments
by hmayes812 September 8, 2006 1:08 AM EDT
Good job, Katie! Good to have you a part of my daily routine again, albeit later in the day. I enjoyed beginning my day with you for 15 years, and am still getting used to you surrounded by the CBS logo and colors. You're doing a bang up job! I'm glad you listened to your girls and made the move! You make all working and non-working women proud. You go girl!
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by cjpratt-2009 September 7, 2006 2:58 PM EDT
I gotta give Katie a lot of credit. Bulldogs may have their place in the "media," but they often get tangled up in the flowers, too. I was a reporter for my local newspaper and I'd get nervous interviewing the high school principal for crying out loud. You're allright, girl.
My sign-off suggestion i emmailed yesterday is "that's our world today, enjoy yours tonight."
Keep up the good work and to heck with the old dogs.
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by schell82 September 7, 2006 12:11 AM EDT
Hi Katie, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your segment of the evenning news. I must say that I never watched CBS news because I don't get home until 6:30pm and I usually try to catch my city news. Since you are on now I will rush home to watch CBS news, by the way the way you signed off on Tuesday and Wednesday was just fine you don't need to change a thing. Just be yourself and your fans will continue to love you. God Bless!
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by powerjan02 September 6, 2006 8:24 PM EDT
Katie,

So glad to have you back on the air. I found the new format that you delivered for CBS last night ground breaking.

I look forward to this transition for CBS.

I must share this with you,Katie. My Dad, kept your birthday in his book with all our family birth dates. He considered you family! He thought you were "a real person".

I wish you continued success, we will be watching.

Best Regards.
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by Bill Mattocks September 6, 2006 7:20 PM EDT
I wish to say only that "Freedom of Speech" is not a 'privilege' as you stated it was last night. A privilege is granted to a person by an authority. It can therefore be taken away again. Driving a car in most states is a privilege, and one which you can lose.

Freedom of speech, like the other freedoms enumerated in the Bill of Rights, is indeed just that; a right. One that pre-existed the US government, grated to us by our Creator and acknowledged by the Founding Fathers as such. It cannot be taken away (legally) by the US federal government, and hence, it is not a 'privilege'.

The distinction, though subtle, is not minor.

Thank you for your time.

Bill Mattocks
Wilson, NC
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by javacrown September 6, 2006 7:14 PM EDT
Really now, CBS must be just as concerned about what Katie wears since they went to the trouble to alter her "fatty" appearance in the much-talked about promo photograph. That seems to say they don't believe in her as anchor. She will have to work harder, will have to treat the news as real news, not include "news" that belongs on Entertainment Tonight. Women want women to be accepted for talent & ability, not because they have nice legs and sit on the edge of the desk. Stop tilting your head and stop swinging your legs. This is the news.
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by ritafajita September 6, 2006 6:22 PM EDT
How about "Good Evening, America" making my Hollywood yours.
Leave out the hard luck stories, hollywood and the commentary, and maybe we will get the news.
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by persephone9 September 6, 2006 6:00 PM EDT
There's no surer way to get the pulse on where women stand in 2006, than to observe people's reactions to a woman leading the nightly news for the first time in history. Newspapers, articles, and blogs all seem to be saying the same thing - the standard by which women are judged is far more extreme than for men. Indeed, my heart sinks every time I read a comment about what Ms. Couric wore (some like her suit, others do not). Wow - does this really matter? Ms. Couric, I can only assume that at this far-along point in your career, you've developed a thick enough skin to deal with such shallow banter about your abilities. I for one, sat riveted to the TV during your whole broadcast and was nothing short of THRILLED to see a woman as capable, smart, and assertive as you steer nighttime news into new territory. I admire the risks you're taking in trying to carve out a new space, a new format, in what has been a male dominated time slot. I loved the "Free Speech" segment, and also liked your focus on the Taliban. I'm excited to see your news show continue to unfold and break new ground. Best of luck!
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by xigua-2009 September 6, 2006 4:59 PM EDT
Ms. Couric, you're the best
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by phoenixandy September 6, 2006 3:49 PM EDT
Another thing: COVER UP THOSE LEGS! This isn't "Fox and Friends" with E.D. Hill.

And please Katie, report the news, not you.
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