Every year the people that write the dictionary (I'm sure it's some fancy word like "author" or "wordsmith") come up with new words that have to be added. They also list out what year the word was originally used.
Those dictionary authors or wordsmiths are way behind!
Within the last few years words like McJob have been added. Which I'm sure had Merriam and Webster rolling in their graves. Not to mention those Dawson Creek kids rolling their eyes.
Who uses the word McJob enough that it needs to be added to the dictionary?
Perhaps I'm old and am still using the term minimum wage instead. Like, that was so yesterday!
You can view the whole list here, but I'm going to share with you my favorites. Quite frankly, I'm a little shocked some of these have never been in the dictionary before. All those Scrabble players have been missing out.
Air quotes - (1989): gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands, used to call attention to a spoken word or expression.
I think they must've needed to "add" this after the Friends episode when Joey kept using them "wrong". Like for "thank you" and "I'm sorry." This has only been around since 1989, so I'm sure when they did it on "Friends" not a single person got it. Thank goodness for the laugh track!
Racino - (1995): racetrack at which slot machines are available for gamblers.
I had no idea these places even existed. Perhaps they're located in some state far away like Nevada or Louisiana! They should also include a map and some coupons for the buffet.
Texas Hold 'em - (1995): Poker in which each player is dealt two cards face down and all players share five cards dealt face-up.
When did they start putting in game titles to the dictionary? I looked up Candyland, Trouble and Hungry Hungry Hippo, but didn't have any luck. How will I ever know how to play those games!
Mental health day - (1971): day that an employee takes off from work to relieve stress or renew vitality.
If it's in Webster's, we will definitely need to start getting some of these days in addition to sick time and vacation.
My personal favorite:
Mondegreen - (1954): word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung. From the mishearing in a Scottish ballad of "laid him on the green" as "Lady Mondegreen."
I had no idea that my inability to decipher song lyrics had a name! I'm a mondegreen. Actually I could be Lady Mondegreen! You have no idea how many songs in the 80's and 90's that I had no clue what was being said.
Corey Hart's Sunglasses at Night doesn't really make any sense to me. For the longest time I would just sing "I wear my sunglasses at night so I can so I can sssssssseeeeeeeeeeee."
I always thought the Go-Go's My Lips Are Sealed was Honest Lucille.
Paula Abdul's Straight Up created many heated discussions with friends if she was saying "or am I a page in your history...look, I don't mean to make demands" or "am I a page in your history book, I don't mean to make demands." I eventually was proved right thanks to the internet.
Snow's Informer is completely lost on me. I swear he says something about a boom-boom, but that's about all I can decipher.
Forget anything by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.
My aunt used to think that Shelley Fabares Johnny Angel was Johnny H-A-L. She'd sing it loud and proud. I come by this talent legitimately.
I'm so glad there is a name for all of us singing the wrong lyrics all this time.
At least now I have an excuse for not learning the lyrics. Sorry, I'm just a mondegreen!
No comments:
Post a Comment