Get a Life, "Dude"!

Okay, maybe I need to get a life as well, but here's an example of a not so cunning linguist who may be published, but hopefully is not gov't subsidized or tenured. I guess you have to give him a little credit for getting out there and getting published, but, really, a study on the usage of the word "dude"? When there are so many other etymological mysteries out there like the once popular "far out" and the equally heady "out of sight". The origins of these idioms have often kept me awake at night. But really, aren't we all stymied at the ageless popularity of the vacuous statement of incredulity, "cool" (nowadays it's usually pronounced emotively 'kuewwwal', which will only make sense to the regular user). Who says our colleges are lacking?