You know those errors that we all make once in awhile on these-here blogs? The ones where we argue vigorously, down to and below the fold, about some wildly mistaken point? Alert readers spare no blogger, and so we all must eventually acknowledge these blunders, particularly since blogging ethics prevent us from pulling them.

One of my advisors has finally proposed a term for these: The Litella. The Litella shall be so-named in honor of SNL’s dear Emily Litella and her energetically-argued, well-meant, completely-incorrect statements. Most important was her cheerful acknowledgement: “Oh. Oh, that’s very different. ... Never mind.” Per Logie, the criteria shall be three-fold:

• The argument in question must be both vigorous and erroneous.
• The error must be central to the argumentative core of the post. Tangential errors and typos do not count.
• The argument must be acknowledged by the initial poster, preferably cheerfully. (In all fairness, Litella did sometimes call Jane Curtin a "bitch" for having pointed out her errors, but this was always followed by a sweet smile toward the audience).