12 = 2007

The headline from The Register says it all:

Microsoft in Office 2007 shocker: What was wrong with Office 12?

The accompanying article makes no mention of it, but the headline is poking the eyes of Microsoft Marketing with a blunt stick. I've mentioned before how Microsoft Marketing uses psychological warfare to keep reporters in line. One of the threats is against calling the next release of Office by its real name until permitted to do so.

Toe the line, you keep on being fed.