WTF? In another blow to English-language traditionalists, the Merriam-Webster dictionary has added “clickbait,” “emoji,” “meme” and “jegging” to its rapidly growing list of words.
Those are among more than 1,700 new entries announced by the dictionary’s editors this week.
There are also the abbreviations “WTF,” which we can’t spell out here for obvious reasons, and “NSFW,” which means “not safe for work” and has spared many of us from awkward moments at the office.
“Photobomb” is now also officially a word and not just something you do to the posing bride and groom at an open bar wedding.
Then there’s “eggcorn,” which Merriam-Webster defines as “a word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical or plausible way for another word or phrase.” An example is saying or writing “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes.”
Here are some other new entries:
Dark money: Money contributed to non-profit organizations and used to fund political campaigns without disclosure of the donors’ identities.
Net neutrality: The idea that Internet service providers should treat all Internet data as the same, regardless of its type, source or destination.
Vocal fry: A vocal effect produced by a slow vibration of the vocal cords and characterized by a creaking sound and low pitch.
Crema: A layer of froth on top of a freshly-made espresso; or heavy cream, thickened and slightly soured, usually with buttermilk.
