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The word of the week: smober

By James Lileks

January 2, 2018 at 5:37PM
Leyland Foster has a cigarette break in Post Alley, smoking a Camel Crush with a capsule in the filter that, when squeezed, releases menthol flavor. He's been smoking since he was 16, about 14 years. "With coffee, oh yeah." (Alan Berner/Seattle Times/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1219206
Leyland Foster has a cigarette break in Post Alley, smoking a Camel Crush with a capsule in the filter that, when squeezed, releases menthol flavor. He’s been smoking since he was 16, about 14 years. “With coffee, oh yeah.” (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Definition: The absence of tobacco use (Merriam-Webster online).

Sample usage: "I'm living up to my resolution. I've been smober since Jan. 1st. Well, since noon, when I woke up. OK, I had one, but that was it."

Popularity: It's a good word for a new year. Here's to smobriety!

JAMES LILEKS

Interested in other words we've dissected? See more at startribune.com/word.

about the writer

about the writer

James Lileks

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James Lileks is a Star Tribune columnist.

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