76-Second Travel Show: "Robust Christmas Special"

Episode #014
F E A T U R I N G * 7 2 * B O N U S * S E C O N D S

"Three American hikers were detained on the cusp on the Iraq/Iran border today..."

Why does that sound so off? Because 'cusp' is one of those words that gets pigeonholed in its use despite a potentially broad use by its definition. We use 'cusp' only when talking of the day or two before or after a horoscope sign changes. And nothing else.

'Robust' used to be an other example -- frequently used to describe economic plans, growth in sales or (far too often) the taste of wines. But here at the SSSTS* HQ, we've spotted a growing trend. Not only are more people using 'robust' in everyday sentences, but in ways that extend beyond merlots on conference-room strategies.

In the last year, the New York Times used it to describe a Bruce Springsteen song, an old clock and a trilogy of dances by Christopher Wheeldon.

The travel world is jumping in too. Travel & Leisure likened a collection of Rubenses as 'robust,' World Hum dropped it for a morning serenade of (Texan) birds, while Jaunted pulled it out for RV camping tendencies and Gadling hopes it'll describe the travel tweet nation in 2010.

With all its merry tidings, Christmas is way behind the curve, and the SSSTS team is striving to give December 25 an ample robust boost.

But in doing so, takes a stab and returning to its original definition -- which changed in 1953 (according to Stephen M Stigler's 1973 report on the mathematical concept of 'robust estimation') from something meaning powerful, healthy yet vulgar, to something just powerful and healthy.

* The 76-Second Travel Show abbreviation is being changed from SSTS to SSSTS.