Merriam-Webster Adds Dumpster Fire, More Words To Embiggen Speech

Many words and phrases we use on social media and in informal conversation now have the official seal of Merriam-Webster, no doubt creating a “dumpster fire” for “wordies” who think these idioms belong on online memes but not in the mainstream. Merriam-Webster added 850 new words and definitions that come from a cross section of America’s linguistic culture to its online dictionary.

It’s actually quite helpful for anyone trying to keep up with the latest trends, including those who thought “cryptocurrency” was a moldy old coin used for bartering among the dead — although that would be very apocalyptic and cool in an undead way.

(That's not it at all. Cryptocurrency is any form of currency, like Bitcoin, that only exists digitally, that usually has no central issuing or regulating authority but instead uses a decentralized system to record transactions and manage the issuance of new units, and that relies on cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent transactions.)

For a word to make it into the dictionary, “it must have widespread, sustained and meaningful use,” Merriam-Webster associate editor Emily Brewster said in a statement.

“These new words have been added to the dictionary because they have become established members of the English language, and are terms people are likely to encounter,” she said.

The vocabulary of the people is constantly changing in big and small ways and that each word added to the dictionary has taken “its own path in its own time to become part of our language — to be used frequently enough by some in order to be placed in a reference for all,” the statement said. “If you're likely to encounter a word in the wild, whether in the news, a restaurant menu, a tech update, or a Twitter meme, that word belongs in the dictionary.”

Let’s “embiggen” on the list of words you may now add to your daily speech with Merriam-Webster’s blessing, starting with a few we’ve dropped in here and including some examples of usage so you won’t look dumber than a bucket of hair when you use them:

Embiggen: to make bigger or more expansive. “I’m going to embiggen my vocabulary to include all these cool new words.”

Mansplain: to explain something to a woman in a condescending way that assumes she has no knowledge about the topic. “Everyone knows what LOL means, but that annoying guy in the office will mansplain it to you until you want to embiggen your arm and slap him.”

Dumpster fire: an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence or disaster. “President Trump said more staff exits may be coming as he tries to control the dumpster fire in the White House.” (The president actually said more exits are coming, without using that particular phrase to describe what some pundits have called chaos in the West Wing.)

Wordie: a lover of words. “Who do those wordies think they are, peppering their colloquy with terms no one actually uses?”

Blockchain: a digital database containing information (such as records of financial transactions) that can be simultaneously used and shared within a large decentralized, publicly accessible network. “Lawmakers have approved the use of blockchain-based records for corporations as part of a bill that would exempt Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from state money transmission laws.” (This actually just happened in Wyoming.)

Glamping: outdoor camping with amenities and comforts. “You can’t make me use outdoor toilets and sleep on the ground, but I will go glamping.”

Kombucha: a gelatinous mass of symbiotic bacteria (as Acetobacter xylinum) and yeasts (as of the genera Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces) grown to produce a fermented beverage held to confer health benefits. “Honey, before we go glamping, can you run to the health-food store and pick up some kombucha? If I’m going to rough it, I’m going to need some probiotics.”

Life hack: a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently. “This life hack saved me a ton of money. I snapped a photo of the open refrigerator door before I went to the store.”

Welp: used informally like well, usually to introduce a remark expressing resignation or disappointment. “Welp, I should’ve done a life hack on my pantry, too, because I’m all out of harissa.”

What’s that you say? Harissa is a spicy North African paste made from dried chilies, salt, oil and other seasonings.

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