New Dictionary Words

Not that we don't already have enough words to use, right? Or that we know all their meanings already. But then, it's always nice to learn something new, and to have new toys to play with when we read or write.

Merriam-Webster Unveils New Dictionary Words. Some quotes:

"Merriam-Webster Inc. has added more than 100 new entries to its new edition of the Collegiate Dictionary.

The wordsmiths at the Springfield, Mass.-based dictionary publisher say they picked the new entries after monitoring their use over years.

"As soon as we see the word used without explanation or translation or gloss, we consider it a naturalized citizen of the English language," said Peter Sokolowski, an editor-at-large for Merriam-Webster. "If somebody is using it to convey a specific idea and that idea is successfully conveyed in that word, it's ready to go in the dictionary."

Many of the new entries reflect the nation's growing interest in the culinary arts,...Others reflect current events and much-discussed news topics,...

...And then there's "mondegreen" (1954). In a category of its own, it describes words mistaken for other words. A mondegreen most often comes from misunderstood phrases or lyrics.

Even Sokolowski, a word expert by trade, has a favorite mondegreen: "Lucy in the sky with diamonds," as sung by the Beatles in 1967, made obvious sense to the preteen Peanuts comic fan as "Lucy in the sky with Linus.""

So that's what it's called! When I can't understand the warblings of a singer, or try vainly to remember famous quotes and phrases, I end up filling in my own words, most of the times wrong. And they're called "mondegreens"! Well! (I hesitate to share my lapses; they would be downright embarrassing. But do feel free to comment and share yours, those of you who can bear the shame).

Even "Air quotes", the "gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands, used to call attention to a spoken word or expression", has made it into the dictionary. I've been guilty of doing that a lot, but I've learned to cut down, much to the relief of my friends. "If you use air quotes again," a friend once told me, "if you dare to use a word that is obviously in quotes, even if you don't waggle your fingers at me...I swear I'll kill you. Slowly."

Some other words that have made it into the dictionary:

Fanboy (1919): boy who is an enthusiastic devotee, such as of comics or movies.

Infinity pool (1992): outdoor swimming pool with an edge over which water flows into a trough, but seems to flow into the horizon.

Dirty bomb (1956): bomb designed to release radioactive material.

Dark energy (1998): hypothetical form of energy that produces a force that opposes gravity and is thought to cause the accelerating expansion of the universe.

Malware (1990): software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning.

Jukebox musical (1993): musical that features popular songs from the past.

Mental health day (1971): day that an employee takes off from work to relieve stress or renew vitality.

Malware. Now that's an irritating word. Should've made the dictionary a long time ago. Makes you want to set off a dirty bomb near where malware writers live. I could also use more mental health days. Couldn't we all?

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