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Sigh: "Woot," "Sexting" Now Officially Real Words
By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Aug 18, 2011
Modified Aug 18, 2011
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By
Jamie Feldmar
Published Aug 18, 2011
Modified Aug 18, 2011
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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.
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Jamie Feldmar
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