The unforgiving minute: The "idea man's" greatest contribution to our national discourse

I have never found the claims of Newt Gingrich's supposedly high-wattage intellect to be all that convincing.

But this Think Progress headline reminded me of one contribution he's made to our world of letters:

Thrice-Married Gingrich Won’t Sign FAMiLY LEADER’s Fidelity Pledge Unless Changes Are Made

Gingrich has almost single-handedly revived the lovely old world "thrice," which since 1978 has been teetering on the brink of lexicological extinction thanks to Lionel Ritchie and the Commodores.

Thanks, Newt.

Minute's up.