Word Spy Etymologizes Flotsametrics

Paul McFedries' Word Spy site, which tracks and documents the etymologies of neologisms, has a good one this week that relates to the first word in this blog's title. It's flotsametrics, a noun defined as "the use of floating debris to study ocean currents." The listing goes on to list sample citations, including the earliest known usage, by the scientist who coined it, during a 2003 appearance on NPR. If you've read The World Without Us, by Alan Weisman, or have heard of the North Pacific Gyre, this is a word to savor.