Mike D Explains 'Illin' On The Colbert Report (VIDEO)

Crossword's aren't typically a source of controversy, but when they are, they're the most lovable ones, ever. The latest, and possibly only one, ever, comes to us from the apex of all word games -- the New York Times crossword puzzle. The Times' puzzle editor Will Shortz may have made a crucial error when he didn't quadruple check his definition for 'illin', and gave as his clue: "Wack, in hip hop." According to freelance writer Julieanne Smolinski, that clue is wack. She wrote to the Times, "These are not the same things at all!" thereby unleashing the war of words we find ourselves in now. Shortz struck back, defending his definition and citing the Dictionary of American Slang, the Dictionary of Contemporary Slang and Urban Dictionary as his sources. So who do we trust? Luckily, we have Beastie Boys' "head grammarian" Mike D on hand, and Stephen Colbert to ask him "Whatcha, whatcha whatcha think?"

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Comments

[WDavid]

07:08 PM on 01/16/2012

That was 'sick.' Meaning good.

[Hong Kong Fooey]

08:45 AM on 01/15/2012

Colbert and Stewart, two 50 something guys trying to impress teenagers.

Weird? I think so.

If you are over the age of 20 and still watch either Colbert or Stewart please register yourself with the local constabulary, this is not a laughing matter.

[jimme]

03:03 PM on 01/15/2012

Written by the adult with Hong Kong Fooey for a pic. I find that the people who don't like JS/SC is because they hit a nerve and the haters can't deny it.

[Leper]

11:43 PM on 01/15/2012

I don't understand why you bother making comments like this when you could be watching "An American Carol". Walmart has in in Blu-Ray for $4.99.

[Jeffrey Bryson]

02:32 AM on 01/16/2012

They bothered releasing it in Blu-Ray?

[Snippert]

08:15 PM on 01/14/2012

The Beastie Boys are a national treasure.

[Rynox]

11:44 AM on 01/14/2012

Haha... nice pipe.

[PandeiroMan]

11:11 AM on 01/14/2012

Is your name Michael Diamond?
Nah, mines Clarence...

[Free Your Mind]

10:30 AM on 01/14/2012

Smartest and funniest show on the planet.

[ryantherusskie]

10:20 AM on 01/14/2012

The M is for Money and the D is for Diamond.

[stjoshy]

08:18 AM on 01/14/2012

hahahaha. colbert is pretty dam funny

[WaPoFan]

07:14 AM on 01/14/2012

Oh no, as someone pointed out in the comments in Gawker (http://gawker.com/5874539/), wack should be spelled "whack" to which I agree. Will Shortz may have made errors on two fronts. Take away his crossword license immediately!

[aleks356]

02:58 PM on 01/14/2012

No, "whack" is a verb meaning "to kill," e.g., "Hey, I'm gonna whack Tony 'Six Fingers' Stomponato for putting ketchup on his linguine."

There's also "whacked", an adjective meaning "crazy." e.g., "Yo, I went out with this chick last night and she was totally whacked."

"Wack" is "uncool."

[RemoveTheGreedyOnes]

07:12 AM on 01/14/2012

Aww Jeah!

[WaPoFan]

06:59 AM on 01/14/2012

Hilarious segment.

I agree with Julieanne Smolinski. I always thought whack and illin were antonyms.

[ZenSufi]

10:41 AM on 01/14/2012

If antonyms, could you explain Run DMC's usage of the term in "You be Illin'", as synonymous with "whack" -- a meaning that is not necessarily negated by the subsequent incorporation of "illin'" by Mike D and his musical collaborators"

[joestatler]

02:39 AM on 01/14/2012

I'm Mike D and I get respect
Your cash and your jewelry is what I expect.

[Limbo Pete]

01:15 AM on 01/14/2012

Well that explains it.

[caveman1313]

11:52 PM on 01/13/2012

what is up with D's ears, is he part elf?

[Paintio]

11:35 PM on 01/13/2012

But, wack is wack in hip-hop, am I wrong?