A recent press release from Merriam-Webster highlighted the addition of 200 new words to the dictionary, reflecting the evolving nature of the English language. These additions, ranging from social media terms like “shadow ban” to political terms like “MAGA,” offer insight into current cultural trends and developments. The dictionary’s president, Gregory Barlow, emphasized the importance of language change as a reflection of societal changes.
The additions also included slang terms like “snog” and “creepy-crawly,” as well as genre-specific terms like “dungeon crawler” and “beach read.” The inclusion of these terms serves to broaden the scope of the dictionary and capture the diverse range of language used in everyday life.
While some may find the addition of political terms like “far left” and “far right” to be contentious, the dictionary’s focus remains on descriptive rather than prescriptive language usage. This approach reflects the dynamic nature of language and the importance of documenting how words are actually used in practice.
Overall, the addition of these new words and phrases serves as a reminder of the constant evolution of language and the role of dictionaries in capturing these changes. Whether you’re a word nerd or simply interested in following linguistic trends, the latest additions to the dictionary offer a fascinating glimpse into the ever-changing landscape of the English language.
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