Every year, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary adds new words. The addition of words starts with reading by the Merriam-Webster editors, who are looking for words in “their natural habitat for real evidence of the language in use.” The new words are selected based on new meanings and on frequency of use. The 2012 words added to the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary include (and are quoted—with apologies to those with sensitivities to certain words):
aha moment n (1939) : a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension [Oprah Winfrey’s signature phrase]
brain cramp n (1982) : an instance of temporary mental confusion resulting in an error or lapse of judgment
bucket list n (2006) : a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying [popularized by the movie title]
cloud computing n (2006) : the practice of storing regularly used computer data on multiple servers that can be accessed through the Internet [technology]
copernicium n (2009) : a short-lived artificially produced radioactive element that has 112 protons
craft beer n (1986) : a specialty beer produced in limited quantities : microbrew
earworm n (1802) 1 : corn earworm 2 : a song or melody that keeps repeating in one’s mind [“this summer’s example being the inescapable Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen.”]
energy drink n (1904) : a usually carbonated beverage that typically contains caffeine and other ingredients (as taurine and ginseng) intended to increase the drinker’s energy
e-reader n (1999) : a handheld electronic device designed to be used for reading e-books and similar material
f-bomb n (1988) : the word fuck — used metaphorically as a euphemism
flexitarian n (1998) : one whose normally meatless diet occasionally includes meat or fish
game changer n (1993) : a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way
gassed adj (1919) … 2 slang : drained of energy : spent, exhausted
gastropub n (1996) : a pub, bar, or tavern that also offers meals of high quality
geocaching n (2000) : a game in which players are given the geographical coordinates of a cache of items which they search for with a GPS device
life coach n (1986) : an advisor who helps people make decisions, set and reach goals, or deal with problems
man cave n (1992) : a room or space (as in a basement) designed according to the taste of the man of the house to be used as his personal area for hobbies and leisure activities
mash-up n (1859) : something created by combining elements from two or more sources: as a : a piece of music created by digitally overlaying an instrumental track with a vocal track from a different recording b : a movie or video having characters or situations from other sources c : a Web service or application that integrates data and functionalities from various online sources [“Whether it’s a politician contradicting him or herself with excerpts from different speeches shown in quick succession or Danger Mouse’s Grey Album, mixing Jay-Z with the Beatles, we’ve come to expect combined and rearranged elements that bring new perspectives and new creativity to our culture with mash-ups,” says editor Sokolowski. “It’s a recent phenomenon, made possible with digital editing, and it has a fun and descriptive name.”]
obesogenic adj (1986) : promoting excessive weight gain : producing obesity
sexting n (2007) : the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cell phone
shovel-ready adj (1998) of a construction project or site : ready for the start of work
systemic risk n (1982) : the risk that the failure of one financial institution (as a bank) could cause other interconnected institutions to fail and harm the economy as a whole [the global financial crisis]
tipping point n (1959) : the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place
toxic adj (1664) … 4 : relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market
underwater adj (1672) … 3 : having, relating to, or being a mortgage loan for which more is owed than the property securing the loan is worth
You will note that many of these are just additional definitions for words that have been used for years (and sometimes centuries). It is comforting to me to know that while our language is constantly changing, Merriam-Webster is making an effort to keep up. Learn them, use them correctly, and prove to everyone just how “current” your language is!
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