Placeholder Content Image

Merriam-Webster adds abbreviations to dictionary

<p>Among the 2,000 new entries to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged edition of the dictionary was a series of abbreviations that say a lot about the word we live in. Apparently letters now count as words in a dictionary. The most popular additions include:</p> <ul> <li>FOMO <em>n, informa</em>l: "Fear of missing out." The anxiety caused by not being included in something (such as an interesting or enjoyable activity) that others are experiencing</li> <li>ICYMI <em>abbr</em>: "In case you missed it." Used to draw attention to something published or posted online earlier</li> <li>TMI <em>abbr</em>: "Too much information."</li> </ul> <p>If you’re shaking your head in disapproval, take heart that the editors judged these abbreviations seriously, only allowing it onto the pages of the dictionary if it had made a significant mark on language and would likely endure in the future.</p> <p>"It doesn't happen quickly – we monitored many of these words for years before they'd met our criteria for entry – and it's pushed by various fields and endeavours," the company said on their website.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/books/2016/03/best-selling-books-of-all-time/"><em>Best-selling books of all time</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/books/2016/03/best-crime-books/"><em>5 crime books you need to read</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/books/2016/03/top-influential-books-of-all-time/"><em>7 of the top influential books of all time</em></a></strong></span></p>

News

Our Partners