Gogglewhacking: The Next Generation

The search for the Ultimate Googlewhacker continues. (A googlewhack, as you may remember, is a set of two common words that produce one and only one hit in Google. The score is computed by multiplying the number of hits each word returns on its own at Google.)

An entry from Andy Chen for one brief moment took the lead — snatching it from Dave Curley (“Dewpoint Beeped” = 15,982,900,000).

metronome : 115,000
dewpoint : 271,000
Total Marks mark : 31,165,000,000

Kevin Marks, inventor of the Marks Scoring System used in to evaluate Googlewhacks, points us to Mornington Crescent, a site where googlewhacking — invented by Gary Unblinking Stock (All hail Gary!) — is the subject of considerable conversation. There an entry from Matt puts considerable distance between him and the rest of the pack: “linux anemonefish.” Check the scoring on this humdinger:

linux: 48,300,000
anemonefish: 3,130
Total Marks mark: 151,179,000,000

Ah, but should “linux” be “Linux,” and as a proper noun be prohibited? Not according to dictionary.com that accepts both versions.

Kevin says: “I still claim the prize for having 2 on one page…”

Mark Dionne, p.o.ed about the no proper nouns rule is working on combinations with the word “windows,” taking advantage of Google’s indifference to case. Interestingly, however, “windows” only returns 39,900,000 hits, almost 10 million fewer than “linux.”

Question of the Hour: Who will break the One Trillion Googlewhack Barrier?

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