Tuesday, July 8, 2008
New Technologies, New Words for Merriam-Webster
In Merriam-Webster's latest edition of the Collegiate Dictionary, new words were added to reflect common and current usage in the English language. What I found interesting was the Web-related terms now added to the standard dictionary. They include: malware (software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning; netroots (grassroots policial activists who communicate via the Internet, especially by blogs); and webinar (live, online educational presetationd uring which particing viewers can sbumit questions and comments). The editor-at-large explained that when somone uses a word to convey a specific idea and the idea is successfully conveyed without further explanation, the word is ready to go in the dictionary. As an aside, wingnut (one who advocates extreme measures or changes) was also added. :)
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2 comments:
Ha- seems like if you publish WINGNUT online it should be in capital letters (as if you were shouting!) :)
That is one of the beauties, and strengths, of the English language...the ability to grow and change and wordmash and keep up with all the cool stuff happening in the world of technology.
Wingnut - that is also a fond (or not) term applied to some of the squirrelly 7th grade boys, especially their lunchtime behaviors ;-)
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