Word of the Day: Gravitas
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 .
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."
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."
Ula Long
Miami Florida
That line deserves a place in the quote books.
Tonight's show was good. Nice interview.
I have watched CBS my entire adult life-- I watch for the daily news not a magazine. If you are indeed the managing editor, please, more real news. The opinion/special interest pieces (at least 3 tonight) belong on a magazine-- Sunday Morning for instance. Very disappointing. I'll be watching the rest of this week hoping things inprove.
NOTE: Friedman is very interesting, but his opinions are not news-- they belong in a magazine format-- ditto with the Speak Freely segment-- and snapshots?!?! Please-- this is not a morning infotainment show.
Your anchor is raised and your ship has sailed! Thank you for having the courage to do so. It is to all our benefits.
Sue G. Smith
Lexington, KY
I am so proud of you, my sister. I feel as though I have known you all of my life and I am so proud of you. You were 'magnificent' today to say the least. Maybe we have a chance to break bread together one day. Love you much!!! Keep it up girl> Gwen
If I want deeper insight, I will watch another news show like 60 minutes.
The segment "Free Speech" is completely unnecessary and a waste of time. Why not a longer segment on international issues?
Couric seems like she has made it her mission to educate us. How arrogant.
I enjoyed Bob Schieffer immensely. You should have left him there.
You have lost me as a viewer.
Your comment about closing statement could just be, " See you later and goodnight" , just keep it simple.
Thanks again and Good Luck,
Wayne
pcs in nh
The whole family..including the boys watched, 16, 14, 9...
How's this for a good night ending..
"Good night and Think Positive!"
Just my thoughta....
from another single mom who went through heart-ache like you...
JEZ are my sons initials...I am very handicapped..lololol and your age...but I look normal...from a car crash...
xxxooo
JEZ-
B.Higgins
Grand Prairie, TX
Robert R. Roberts
El Paso, Texas
The story about the Taliban was a bold lead, and bolder still was the time devoted to it. Nice to watch a news program that treats me like an adult with an attention span of more than 3 seconds.
And it's great to have you back on the air. Keep up the great work!
Drop "Free Speech". That segment served no purpose. Her choice of picking that idiot from "Super Size Me" was really poor. It's also idiotic that she's going to have Rush Limbaugh on Thursday. He already gets more free speech than he deserves on his radio show.
Don't cram too many stories in 60 seconds, like she did with the Steve Irwin tragedy.
You're giving air time to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' baby was also pointless.
Don't open the newscast with "Hi everyone". "Good evening" will do.
Here's a closing line for you: "I'm Katie Couric, I don't really belong here, but who gives a rip?"
And please Katie, report the news, not you.
Leave out the hard luck stories, hollywood and the commentary, and maybe we will get the news.
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
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.
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.
-
by hmayes812
September 7, 2006 10:08 PM PDT
- 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!
-
Reply to this comment
-
See all 34 Comments