It can be tough to keep up with the latest buzzwords and some make us want to roll our eyes when we hear our kids say them, but it may be time to learn what they mean because they’ve made their way to the dictionary. Merriam-Webster has announced the 200 new words they’ve added to the 2024 edition of their dictionary, and they include some trendy terms and slang words popular with the young folks.
According to the reference book, “All the additions have demonstrated widespread use over time, and offer a window into the world today.” So, what are the new terms that are now officially part of the English language? The latest additions include:
- For You Page (or FYP) – noun, “a social media feed that contains personalized content based on the user’s interest”
- Touch grass – idiomatic phrase, “to participate in normal activities in the real world, especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions”
- Nepo baby – noun, “a person who gains success or opportunities through familial connections”
- Street corn – noun, “grilled corn on the cob that is coated with a creamy spread”
- Burrata – noun, “mozzarella formed into a ball-shaped casing that contains curds and cream”
- Capicola – noun, “seasoned Italian pork that is cut from the neck and top shoulder”
- Ultra-processed – adjective, “containing or made primarily with highly processed ingredients including artificial additives (such as coloring, flavoring, and preservatives) and typically having high levels of fat, sugar, or salt”
- International Bitterness Unit – noun, “a unit of measurement used to assess the concentration of a bitter compound found in hops to provide information about how bitter a beer is”
- Cash grab – noun, “the greedy pursuit of an opportunity for making money, especially when done without regard for ethics, concerns, or consequences”
- Shadow ban – noun, “to cause (a user or their content) to be hidden from some or all other users, usually without the user’s knowledge”
- Merriam-Webster has also added late capitalism, beach read, dungeon crawler, jam band and MAGA, among others, for 2024.
Source: Merriam-Webster
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