We thought it was cool when Merriam-Webster named “blog” its word of the year. But now TIME notes that 2004 was the Golden Age of the Blog. Well, we guess it was quite a year for “the blogosphere” (this DCist hates that word with a distinct passion). Popular celebrity blogs gave way to numerous blogs-to-riches stories, including some from our own stomping grounds. Blogs even got a nice little mention on The West Wing.

DCist is certainly not opposed to this meta talk, but wonders if blogging would have been such a big deal this year without the help of some influential political blogs during the election season. What about you? Was this the year your grandparents started a Livejournal, or when you found out about your 13-year old cousin’s life through her Xanga account? Are blogs a passing fad, the BBSes of 2004?