On Monday, at the end of the opening credits for The Colbert Report the word “Superstantial” was replaced with “Freem” (previous words include “Grippy”, “Licolnish”, and “Megamerican”). Fans have been abuzz with speculation because Stephen Colbert has not yet explained the meaning of the word, and previous words have been fairly easy to figure out. An entry has already been made in the Urban Dictionary for “Freem”, although it points out that the definition is not yet known.

One fan at Colbert Nation suggests that Freem is “freedom” without the “do”, implying that we are free, but with no obligations to actually do anything. This definition as explained definitely fits in with the theme of The Colbert Report, as a satiric, extreme right-wing show.

Another fan at NoFactZone.net discovered that a patrolman named Alfred Freem spotted and helped capture a 150 pound black bear in in Millburn, New Jersey. Those who watch the show know that Stephen Colbert does not like bears, so Freem may be considered a hero in his eyes.

Of course there is always the possibility that Colbert added the word just to generate the sort of buzz it is getting and to keep us all wondering. I prefer to think that there is a reason for it, however, and that it will be explained on one of his shows. I wonder if it is more than just coincidence that the original appearance of the word occurred on Martin Luther King, Jr Day?