Word 'Immunity' Used Outside Of Reality Show For First Time In Five Years

January 8, 2008 | Issue 44•02

INDIANAPOLIS—Dr. Thomas Draker's announcement Monday that his patient Sarah Ross, 32, had successfully built up an immunity to bee stings was the first instance in five years that the word "immunity" has been uttered outside the realm of reality television. According to official records, since 2002's use of the word during an eighth-grade civics class, the term has been used an estimated 13,546,873 times, solely by reality show viewers and contestants while discussing the possibility of being protected from elimination during an upcoming challenge. After being informed of her immunity to bee stings, Ross reportedly asked her doctor if that meant she could safely move on to next week's round of allergies.