Get ready for the linguistic equivalent of New Year's Eve. Tomorrow morning, the English language will add its one millionth word, according to the Global Language Monitor, a Texas-based firm that tracks language trends. (I picture it as a group of men and women wearing green eyeshades, surrounded by the works of Shakespeare, busily hammering their calculators.)

Estimating that the English language adds an average of 14.7 words a day, GLM says the million-word moment will come at precisely 10:22 am (Stratford-on Avon Time).

GLM's finalists for the One Millionth English Word illustrate the worldwide sweep of the language. From Australia: alchopops – sugary-flavored mixed drinks. From Chinglish: Chengguan – urban management officers, a cross between mayors, sheriff, and city managers. From Hindi: Jai Ho! — “it is accomplished," a phrase that became popular through the film Slumdog Millionaire.

Call me a chauvinist, but I like the words that can be claimed to originate in America, even though they highlight some of the worst elements of our culture. Words such as "recessionista" – fashion conscious who use the economic slowdown to their financial benefit; "Octomom" -- for the mother of the octuplets; or "green washing" – re-branding an old product as environmentally friendly.

My own choice of the One Millionth: 4eva!

p.s. Before you buy baloons and champagne, read the comment by fact-checker extraordinaire John McIntyre, who casts a skeptical eye on GLM's claim.