>
>> I had the guy watching me play and mock-- er,
>>rout me as I tried the last puzzle. It's
>>actually a very eerie feeling...
>
> rout? not familiar with the word. does it
>essentially mean to 'cheer on'?
>

I do believe it is supposed to be spelled "root", as in "to cheer". So "rooting" would be "to cheer on". I think Sam spelled it wrong initially and Stephen has been perpetuating it because of the mistaken belief that Sam is always right. It has been my humble experience that Sam is only mostly right--and sometimes he's completely wrong. And then I get to have fun at his expense. Like now. HAHA!

"rout" is "to put to wild flight or retreat." something entirely different.