"Shout out" to...

In some podcasts and radio programs I've listened to of late, I've noticed a mini-trend of what is called a "shout out", as in, "And here is a shout out to our listeners in..."

I haven't noticed any actual shouting out accompanying these statements. I think it's just a way to acknowledge the listeners who have written in from those particular places that are being named.

So this is a shout out to my readers in:

• Germany
• Thailand
• Jamaica
• Philippines
• Australia

While they haven't written in, StatCounter has let me know they've been here.