Quantcast

Sigh: "Woot," "Sexting" Now Officially Real Words

wootcat0811.jpg Well, the Oxford English Dictionary has gone and announced their latest batch of new official words, and joining the likes of "OMG" and "muffintop" are "woot," "sexting," "retweet," and "cyberbullying." And the English language continues its slow, steady decline.

Of course, some words had to be cut to make way for "woot," et al, and those unfortunate souls include "brabble" (meaning "paltry noisy quarrel") and "growlery" (a "place to growl in, private room, den").

Some words aren't new but have expanded definitions, like "follower," which has been updated to include "someone who is tracking a particular person, group, etc. on a social networking site," and "cougar" is now no longer just a "large American feline quadruped" but now also "an older woman seeking a sexual relationship with a younger man." Susan Sarandon was heard to exclaim "Woot!" upon hearing the news.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

Comments [rss]

  • Guest

    English is the most scientific language on the planet because it contains words for everything.  Some cultures have never invented a word for say, "skyscraper", because they've never needed one.  English bastardizes words from all languages and does so to evolve.  Anyone that complains about new words being added to the dictionary is just behind the times.

  • OH NO.  But English is a static thing given to Adam by God 6000 years ago in the King James Bible!  THESE EGGHEADS HAVE GONE TO FAR.  A dictionary that records words that people ACTUALLY USE?  What will those bastards think of next?

  • 9illy

    Growlery is a FANTASTIC word! Brabble not so much...

  • ButtPlugs

    Can faggot have a different meaning in the dictionary now?

  • Oh Almighty Walrus King

    Sulking in my growlery after a nightly session of brabbling will feel so abstract now.

  • I thought it was "w00t."

blog comments powered by Disqus

send a tip

tips@gothamist.com