This cartoon by Schrank from The Independent combines two news stories: the UN climate change talks in Cancun (the subject of the newspaper headline on the car dashboard), and the earliest white winter in Britain for decades.
A family are stuck in the snow in their car. The woman says: "So much for global warming!" The man replies: "Yeah, that's so last year."
EXPLANATION
If you are stuck, you are unable to move. This is the situation of the family in the car, but could also refer to the climate change talks, where expectations are low 11 months on from the failed Copenhagen summit.
LANGUAGE
1. If you say so much for a particular thing, you mean that it has not been successful or helpful. • She was sacked for criticizing the company on her blog—so much for free speech!
2. If you say that something is so last year, you mean that it is no longer fashionable. • MySpace is so last year, don't you think?
PLUS CA CHANGE/DEJA VU
See this cartoon by Peter Brookes from December of last year.
