Is it a real word?
Ta-Nehisi Coates talks with OED editor Jesse Sheidlower about whether "conversate" is a word.
I <3 the OED.
And dictionary editors in general.
Lexicographer Erin McKean gave a talk at TED in 2007 that covered some related topics, though I think I like Sheidlower's discussion of the issue better.
(Note: Video with sound immediately starts playing if you follow the link to the McKean talk.)