Google released their list of fastest rising search terms for 2009 — nationally, Michael Jackson took the top spot. Jacko was followed by some unsurprising terms — Facebook, Twitter, Lady Gaga, Windows 7 — and some things I don’t know what they are — “tuentro,” “sanalika,” “dantri.com.vn” and “torpedo gratis.” Even searching those words just now didn’t really help. I might just need more coffee.
Local results don’t make much more sense. At No. 1, we have “BU student link,” which I figured was about BU student/accused prostitute killer Philip Markoff, but is instead an actual Boston University student services web site.
No. 2: “eCommons.” This one also has nothing to do with killing anybody, and is also a college student service web site — Harvard Medical School’s this time. We might have too many college kids around here.
At No. 3: “Gloucester Daily Times,” which I’ll bet shocked even the Gloucester Daily Times. This is the year after the 2008 Time Magazine story about the “pregnancy pact” that either happened or didn’t, and its interminable fallout.
“Restaurant Week” and “BHCC” at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, seem reasonable enough, with the recession making expensive restaurants less, and community colleges more popular. “UMB.edu” follows at No. 6, which seems a little like calling someone to ask for their phone number.
“MBTA Commuter Rail,” “7News Boston,” “WBZ TV” and “Coolidge Corner Theater” finish off the list. Nothing weird there, but where’s “David Ortiz“? The guy had a season-opening slump that almost killed half the local population, and then had a positive drug test leaked. I don’t even know who you people are any more.


