Language is always evolving. And nowadays, with the prevalence of internet use, texting, and social networking, it is evolving at an unprecedented pace.
Some new words have just been added to the Oxford Dictionaries Online, a related branch of the Oxford English Dictionary, but not exactly the same thing. Basically the ODO concerns itself more with current meanings and usage. If you want a longer explanation of the difference, one is available here.
From the ODO blog:
The world of computers and social networking continues to be a major influence on the English language, with the introduction of badware, social graph, and network neutrality into our dictionary. And if you thought a breadcrumb trail was only useful to Hansel and Gretel – think again. The new additions also hint at the danger of sneaking a peek at the Twittersphere or other social networks whilst at work – not everyone is thoughtful enough to add the NSFW warning!
@OxfordWords
Oxford DictionariesWe’ve just added some new words to Oxford Dictionaries Online, incl. free running, NSFW, man flu, bridezilla: http://oxford.ly/jF7bQ4
2 days ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto
Some of the best internet themed new additions are:
Cyber Monday – the Monday following Thanksgiving, promoted by online retailers as a day for exceptional bargains
infographic – a visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent information or data
network neutrality – the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites
newb (unfortunately not n00b, however) – short for newbie
NSFW – not safe (or suitable) for work (used in electronic communication to indicate that a particular web page or website contains explicit sexual material or other adult content)
permalink – a permanent static hyperlink to a particular web page or entry in a blog
Twittersphere – postings made on the social networking site Twitter, considered collectively
ZOMG – (used especially on electronic message boards as a sarcastic comment on an inexperienced or overenthusiastic poster) oh my God!
And my favorite new general addition:
nekkid – (of a person) naked
Earlier this year the OED went a little txtspky and added OMG, LOL, BFF and even <3 to their massive database. The AP stylebook has also been keeping current, adding new social media guidelines for words like geotagging, retweet and unfriend.
