Keller @ Large: Voters, Like Candidates, Lie Too

BOSTON (CBS) - Every November, the publishers of the Oxford dictionary announce their choice for the word of the year, a term they feel captures the "ethos, mood, or preoccupations of that particular year." Last year's word of the year was "emoji." not bad, but I have a suggestion for this year's word: "lie."

In case you missed it, there was a mini-controversy during the presidential race about whether or not journalists should use the word "lie" to describe what happens when a candidate... well, lies. That sounds a bit harsh, the critics said. Because, it implies the person who uttered the lie is a liar.

It seems to me truth is an absolute defense when discussing politicians and their lies, but I'm mindful of all the appeals since election night for us to turn down the volume and come together in a fake post-election show of unity, which will last for about 15 minutes if it ever actually happens.

So instead of "lie," let's go with something kinder and gentler - like "fib."

And let's give the pols a rest for today and focus on the fibs that voters told us and each other this year.

For instance, voters claimed they didn't like attack ads and negative campaigning, then turned around and rewarded that behavior at every turn.

Voters insisted they cared about issues in the presidential race, but then told pollsters at the end that "character" was the biggest motivator for their vote.

And while voters claimed to have record-shattering interest in this election, the turnout rate was 56 percent, the lowest in over a decade,

So definitely, "fib" should be a contender for word of the year. And that's no lie.