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Merriam-Webster adds 850 new words to dictionary, including 'dumpster fire'
SPRINGFIELD, MA - SEPTEMBER 23: In this handout image provided by Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and mobile website are displayed September 23, 2016 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joanne K. Watson/Merriam-Webster via Getty Images)
Merriam-Webster announced this week the addition of 850 words to its online dictionary.
Oh hey.
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) March 5, 2018
Cool news.
🎉🌟 We added 850 new words to the dictionary! 🎉🌟https://t.co/eyYWKHKzk7
In a news release about the dictionary update, Merriam-Webster said the new terms come from a "cross-section of our linguistic culture." The new words include "chiweenie," "cryptocurrency," "mansplain" and "dumpster fire."
Foodies will enjoy the additions of words related to international cuisine, including "harissa," a spicy North African paste and "kabocha," a Japanese winter squash.
In a nod to text messaging and other forms of electronic speech, Merriam-Webster is including word approximations such as "hmm," "ooh" and "welp."
