Meet Paul Smith and his wife Holly. They're both attorneys in Atlanta, GA, and they're pregnant (congratulations!). Like many expecting parents, they've given their as yet unnamed bundle of joy a nickname: "the Chuck" or the "Chuck bump." During doctor's visits, they refer to the sound of the sonogram as the "Chuck beep." Occasionally, a curious technician will ask, "Who's Chuck?" "They assume it's named after someone in the family," Holly says. "It's easier sometimes just to smile and go with that than try to explain."

That's because the "Chuck bump" is not named for a favorite uncle or cousin, but for MSNBC political director Chuck Todd...