One area where the dictionary seems to be expanding is in gender pronouns. Merriam-Webster now officially recognizes “they” as a singular pronoun used by people whose gender is non-binary
They’ve also added “inclusive,” meaning, “allowing and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability).”
Other new words include (click here for more):
- Dad joke: a wholesome joke of the type said to be told by fathers with a punchline that is often an obvious or predictable pun or play on words and usually judged to be endearingly corny or unfunny
- Vacay: a shortening of vacation.
- Sesh: a shortening of session.
- Fabulosity: fabulous quality, state, or nature.
- Fatberg: a large mass of fat and solid waste that collects in a sewer system (a portmanteau of fat and iceberg).
- Solopreneur: a solo entrepreneur.
- Deep state: an alleged secret governmental network operating extralegally.
- Escape room: a game in which participants confined to a room or other enclosed setting are given a set amount of time to find a way to escape.
- Colorism: prejudice or discrimination especially within a racial or ethnic group favoring people with lighter skin over those with darker skin.
- Coulrophobia: meaning “abnormal fear of clowns.”
- Bechdeltest: refers to a set of criteria used to evaluate a movie or other work of fiction on the basis of its inclusion and representation of female characters.