Emoji, meme and jegging are just a few of the new words now in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, turning them from slang and passing fads into official words.
Merriam-Webster, and many other dictionaries, add new words into their lexicon each year, and some stand out from the rest for their relevance to pop culture and efforts in defining society.
Heres a list of 10 new words that have been added to dictionaries in the past 10 years, according to Merriam-Webster and Mental Floss:
Tweep
Definition: "A person who uses the Twitter online message service to send and receive tweets." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2014.
Gassed
Definition: "Drained of energy: spent, exhausted." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2012.
Frenemy
Definition: "One who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2009.
Helicopter Parent
Definition: "A parent who is overly involved in the life of his or her child." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2011.
Wingnut
Definition: "One who advocates extreme measures or changes : radical." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2008.
Air quotes
Definition: "A gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands that is used to call attention to a spoken word or expression." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2008.
Ginormous
Definition: "Extremely large : humongous." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2007.
Doh
Definition: "Exclamation used to comment on a foolish or stupid action, especially ones own." This was added to the Oxford English Dictionary 2001.
Grrrl
Definition: "A young woman regarded as independent and strong or aggressive, especially in her attitude to men or in her sexuality." This was added to the Oxford English Dictionary 2009.
Muggle
Definition: "A person who is not conversant with a particular activity or skill." This was added to the Oxford English Dictionary 2003.
Merriam-Webster, and many other dictionaries, add new words into their lexicon each year, and some stand out from the rest for their relevance to pop culture and efforts in defining society.
Heres a list of 10 new words that have been added to dictionaries in the past 10 years, according to Merriam-Webster and Mental Floss:
Tweep
Definition: "A person who uses the Twitter online message service to send and receive tweets." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2014.
Gassed
Definition: "Drained of energy: spent, exhausted." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2012.
Frenemy
Definition: "One who pretends to be a friend but is actually an enemy." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2009.
Helicopter Parent
Definition: "A parent who is overly involved in the life of his or her child." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2011.
Wingnut
Definition: "One who advocates extreme measures or changes : radical." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2008.
Air quotes
Definition: "A gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands that is used to call attention to a spoken word or expression." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2008.
Ginormous
Definition: "Extremely large : humongous." This word was added to the Merriam-Websters Collegiate Edition in 2007.
Doh
Definition: "Exclamation used to comment on a foolish or stupid action, especially ones own." This was added to the Oxford English Dictionary 2001.
Grrrl
Definition: "A young woman regarded as independent and strong or aggressive, especially in her attitude to men or in her sexuality." This was added to the Oxford English Dictionary 2009.
Muggle
Definition: "A person who is not conversant with a particular activity or skill." This was added to the Oxford English Dictionary 2003.
