Did any of you see this article on the usage of "dude"?

Some entries at Language Log: mentions the paper, more, and even more.

You beat me to this post, CW.

There was a rather sarcastic editorial in the Chicago Tribune today that evidently hasn't made it yet to Google News. It was entitled, "Dude, keep your distance," and they discussed Kiesling's study of the word "dude." They began the article by saying, "At the University of Pittsburgh, a linguist has been studying the evolution of the word "dude." Duuuuude! They pay you to do this? How can we get that gig?" I thought of our wordcrafters when I read that! Come on, this linguistics is serious business!

After going through their version of the evolution (at one point they say, "...it takes him 26 pages complete with charts, diagrams and footnotes to say this: 'Dude has become a way men can express heterosexual intimacy with other men without getting too close.'"), they call "dude" the "ultimate multi-tasking word."

I thought...you Chicago Tribune dudes should read wordcraft! Just look at the word 'set!'

Lastly, they link "dude" to a certain "f" word, in that it can be a single-word utterance that can mean anything in the right context. They add that "dude has an advantage in that it can be used in a family newspaper!

I have heard, lately the use of "word" in a similarly versatile way.

Word can mean any of the following:

"good job"
"hi, howya doin?"
"that's terrible"
"no way!"
"what a relief"
"cool!"
"bitch"

I'm sure there are others, too.