Merriam-Webster has updated its collegiate dictionary, as it does every year, adding about 100 new words to the 114-year-old dictionary. This year’s annual addition includes some pretty interesting new words, such as ‘f-bomb’, ‘sexting’, and ‘aha moment’, plus a few old words with new definitions!
While ‘f-bomb’ seems a little bit of an unnecessary addition, ‘sexting’ definitely has its place in the dictionary.
Webster associate editor Kory Stamper explains why sexting was included:
“It is a relatively new word to be entered into the dictionary, but it’s a huge one. From the moment it appeared on the scene in 2007, it’s been the subject of serious discussions about technology, the law, and even cyberbullying. Much of the early discussion focused on teens and sexting, but maybe more adults should have taken notice: in 2011, Anthony Weiner resigned his congressional seat after his own sexting scandal was made public.”
Here are some of the new words — plus a few old words with new definitions:
aha moment, n. • a moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension
brain cramp, n. • an instance of temporary mental confusion resulting in an error or lapse of judgment
bucket list, n. • a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying
cloud computing, n. • the practice of storing regularly used data on multiple servers that can be accessed through the Internet
craft beer, n. • a specialty beer produced in limited quantities
energy drink, n. • 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. • a handheld electronic device designed to be used for reading e-books and similar material
flexitarian, n. • one whose normally meatless diet occasionally includes meat or fish
game changer, n. • a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way
gassed, adj. • drained of energy
gastropub, n. • a pub, bar, or tavern that also offers meals of high quality
geocaching, n. • a game in which players are given the coordinates of a cache of items which they search for with a GPS device
life coach, n. • an advisor who helps people make decisions, set and reach goals, or deal with problems
man cave, n. • 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. • 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 sources
obesogenic, adj. • promoting excessive weight gain: producing obesity
sexting, n. • the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cellphone
tipping point, n. • the critical point in a situation, process, or system beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place
toxic, adj. • relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market
underwater, adj • having, relating to, or being a mortgage loan for which more is owed than the property securing the loan is worth
AP Photo/Richard Drew
