July 10, 2008
Calling all my fanboys!
This week, Merriam-Webster released its list of more than 100 new words that will appear in its new edition of the Collegiate Dictionary.
Here are some of my favorites:
air quotes
def: gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands, used to call attention to a spoken word or expression.
(Do you remember that “Friends” episode when Joey kept using them incorrectly? Hilarious.)
edamame
def: immature green soybeans, usually in the pod.
(Gotta give props to my dad on this one; he’s been serving us these yummy legumes for years.)
fanboy
def: boy who is an enthusiastic devotee, such as of comics or movies.
mental health day
def: day that an employee takes off from work to relieve stress or renew vitality.
mondegreen
def: word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung. From the mishearing in a Scottish ballad of “laid him on the green” as “Lady Mondegreen.”
wing nut
def: Slang: one who advocates extreme measures or changes; radical.
For more information:
Filed by rebecca at 6:07 pm under For the love of words
Now that they’ve added “mental health day” to the dictionary, how soon until they’re added to corporate benefits packages?
Good question, Jamie! Will you be the “wing nut” who proposes the idea to your company?
LOL!
And hey, What about fangirls?
Good call, Steph! Maybe that will make the dictionary next year … I think they’re taking suggestions!
Wing nut? That’s what my brother’s friends used to call each other when they meant “you idiot”! Hysterical!
Edamame I get. I love them, too. :)) I wish I understood fanboy or mondegreen. Never heard either of them until now.
Lori: I had the same understanding of “wing nut,” too! Funny. “Fanboy” is my new favorite word (I’m a James Bond fanboy), although I agree with Steph: It’s a bit sexist. I’m actually a James Bond fangirl.
How about “Watah” def: what they fill Rhode Island pools with.
Good one, Decker. Don’t forget “cawfee”: a caffeinated beverage Rhode Islanders drink with breakfast.