NEW YORK (AP) — Word enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as Merriam-Webster announces a groundbreaking revision of its popular Collegiate Dictionary. The upcoming 12th edition, set for release on November 18, includes over 5,000 fresh entries like 'petrichor,' 'teraflop,' 'dumbphone,' and 'ghost kitchen.' This revision arrives 22 years after the last hard-copy update and reflects changing linguistic trends amid declining sales of physical dictionaries.
Consider 'petrichor,' which refers to the pleasant smell that arises after rain following a dry spell, or 'teraflop,' a measurement term for computing speed. The pandemic popularized the term 'ghost kitchen,' describing commercial kitchens utilized for takeout-only restaurants. Additionally, colloquial terms such as 'cold brew,' 'rizz,' 'dad bod,' and 'cancel culture' further showcase the update's relevance.
Greg Barlow, president of Merriam-Webster, stated that to make room for these new entries, the company has streamlined the dictionary by removing sections with outdated information. He emphasized the importance of modernizing the dictionary to keep it engaging and user-friendly. Despite the typical decline in print reference book sales, Merriam-Webster sold around 1.5 million dictionaries last year. Barlow noted that while print may not drive much profit, it remains a cornerstone of the company’s identity.
While various factors challenge the print dictionary market, such as the ubiquity of online resources, Merriam-Webster's website sees nearly a billion visits yearly. The new edition will also include curated lists and expanded word histories to enhance user experience further.
Consider 'petrichor,' which refers to the pleasant smell that arises after rain following a dry spell, or 'teraflop,' a measurement term for computing speed. The pandemic popularized the term 'ghost kitchen,' describing commercial kitchens utilized for takeout-only restaurants. Additionally, colloquial terms such as 'cold brew,' 'rizz,' 'dad bod,' and 'cancel culture' further showcase the update's relevance.
Greg Barlow, president of Merriam-Webster, stated that to make room for these new entries, the company has streamlined the dictionary by removing sections with outdated information. He emphasized the importance of modernizing the dictionary to keep it engaging and user-friendly. Despite the typical decline in print reference book sales, Merriam-Webster sold around 1.5 million dictionaries last year. Barlow noted that while print may not drive much profit, it remains a cornerstone of the company’s identity.
While various factors challenge the print dictionary market, such as the ubiquity of online resources, Merriam-Webster's website sees nearly a billion visits yearly. The new edition will also include curated lists and expanded word histories to enhance user experience further.
