Web 2.0 is the one millionth word in the English dictionary – This news has spread like wildfire through online and offline media. In fact I saw it first on the local news yesterday, although their source was either directly or indirectly The Global Language Monitor site. So what other technology and/or social media-centric newfangled words have made it into the dictionary? Here some on the Global Language Monitor’s list:
New Words Entered Into the English Dictionary
- N00b — From the Gamer Community, a neophyte in playing a particular game; used as a disparaging term.
- Cloud Computing – The ‘cloud’ has been technical jargon for the Internet for many years. It is now passing into more general usage.
- Sexting – Sending email (or text messages) with sexual content.
- Defriend – Social networking terminology for cutting the connection with a formal friend.
And, just for funzies, here are some non techno-centric words listed on The Global Language Monitor site to have entered the English language dictionary:
From Poland, there is Bangsters – A description of those responsible for ‘predatory’ lending practices, from a combination of the words banker and gangster.
Jai Ho! – The Hindi phrase signifying the joy of victory, used as an exclamation, sometimes rendered as “It is accomplished”. Achieved English-language popularity through the multiple Academy Award Winning film, “Slumdog Millionaire”.
And of course, there is Recessionista – Fashion conscious who use the global economic restructuring to their financial benefit.
As an aside, if you are interested, you can follow Global Language Monitor on Twitter: @LanguageMonitor.
I found blog.imarkcomm.com very informative. The article is professionally written and I feel like the author knows the subject very well. blog.imarkcomm.com keep it that way.