CRINGE! Merriam-Webster Adds New Words To Dictionary

Googling the dictionary definition of "dictionary" should cause the internet to crash, but amazingly it works. It is defined as "a book or electronic resource that lists the words of a language and gives their meaning". While sure, English has a set amount of words, sometimes slang words BECOME real words. That's what Merriam-Webster just did.

From time to time, the original gangsters of vernacular take a look at pop culture and the words being used. If a word is used for long enough, and becomes widely adopted, they consider it for addition to their dictionary. This time around, they are adding 370 words and terms to their online edition.

The last time they made a bulk-addition to their pages was back in October 2021. From "TBH" (to be honest) to "breakthrough" (used medically, to speak of someone who is fully vaccinated but still gets sick), "fluffernutter" (sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow creme) to "dad bod" (what most American men have)... they covered the gamut.

This year features several different categories of words, from technology to food and more. This obviously comes from Merriam-Webster, the first name many of us think of. But other dictionary brands do this from time to time as well. Dictionary.com added several words in the Spring. No disrespect intended, unless Merriam-Webster says it, it's kind of made up isn't it? The company was founded 191 years ago and have been in the word business the entire time. (Now they are owned by Encyclopedia Britannica, which broke many bookshelves back in the day).

Let's take a look at some of our favorite new words and keep our eye to Twitter, TikTok and whatever your kid is saying on the phone to their friends to figure out next year's new words.

It's the opposite of a smartphone, with no web browser, email or apps.

This seems like overkill considering just last year they added "doorbell camera".

The thing you'll end up wearing to ignore your family.

What happens to your internet when your husband won't get off the "metaverse".

To make something look like it is environmentally friendly, when it is actually destroying the planet. Like coal, or constantly selling electronics that are subject to forced obsolescence and all the components are so glued together that proper recycling cannot happen.

It's like greenwashing, but for everything else. Talking a lot about how much you care about something, without actually doing anything about it.

The reason a car costs too much, you couldn't buy a video card for a year, and your favorite Halloween decorations may not be available. Issues down the "supply chain" caused issues for you.

It's exactly what it sounds like. People throw high-powered magnets into rivers, lakes, creeks and oceans to attempt to fish something metal, and potentially valuable, out of the water. The videos will astound you.

It's like the military but in space.

It's used to express enthusiasm OR to "throw especially with force without regard for being thrown". So you can exclaim "YEET" if the person you ask out on a date says yes, or say you want to "yeet yourself off a mountain" if they say no.

Something that is pretty bad quality or just not working like it should.

You go to the strip club for the FOOD ONLY?! Yeah, that's sus.

Such a nerd, but so cute...

What you had to do back in the day with tin-foil and the antenna to get a certain TV station, or using a paper clip as a fork. To make something with what you have on hand.

Looking outrageously lavish...

How we feel watching the audition rounds of "America's Got Talent", or watching most politicians talk.

When, instead of higher costs being passed on to the consumer, companies shrink portion size to keep items at the same price, but give them less product.

A Vietnamese sandwich... which have been around for years. But now it's in the English dictionary, so that's impressive.

Now officially the most basic thing in the dictionary.