Internet words added to the dictionary!

[Bigfoot3814]

The words "Avatar": a digital image representing a computer user, and "Lurk": to read a dicussion forum without contributing new content, have been added to the Miriam-Webster Dictionary.

If you want a source to prove it, I don't have one that I can show you. I saw it on the Metro News Ticker at the radio station where I intern. It was under the "kickers" section.

Speaking of that, some of the kickers were hilarious. A guy in Oregon tied a bunch of weather balloons to a lawn chair and flew to Idaho. Someone else set the world record for spitting cherry pits. I should bring a USB with me next time I go. If I can get away with it, I'll share them with you.

 

[Brighteye]

The OED has this covered already with its definitions:
4. loosely, Manifestation; display; phase.

DRAFT ADDITIONS JULY 2001
lurk, v.
* intr. Computing slang. To read communications to an electronic network without actively contributing or making one's presence known. Cf. earlier LURKER n.1

 

[LucyDuke]

This is not odd, unusual, or surprising.

 

[Gilder]

Weren't those already words?

 

[Bigfoot3814]

Weren't those already words?

Not in the Miriam-Webster dictionary. That's usually how you know a word has been totally mainstreamed. I guess Oxford is more hip to the groove.

Well, since this thread seems to be going absolutley flipping nowhere, I propose a new question: What words do you think should be in the dictionary? They can be internet words, snigglets, words you made up, whatever.

 

[Gilder]

I propose blogosphere.

 

[holy king]

i propose "equatist".

 

[LucyDuke]

Not in the Miriam-Webster dictionary. That's usually how you know a word has been totally mainstreamed. I guess Oxford is more hip to the groove.

Well, since this thread seems to be going absolutley flipping nowhere, I propose a new question: What words do you think should be in the dictionary? They can be internet words, snigglets, words you made up, whatever.

I have another idea. Let's stop with this silly dictionary-worship as though we need Merriam and Webster to validate our words for us.

 

[Bigfoot3814]

I have another idea. Let's stop with this silly dictionary-worship as though we need Merriam and Webster to validate our words for us.

I don't need validation! It's just that by the time a hip slang word (although Avatar isn't really a slang word) hits the official dictionary, usually even my grandmother knows what it means.

Also, I just love making up words!

Clownfrontation - n. A confrontation over the subject of a clown, or a confrontation where either one or both parties may be a clown.

 

[Rossiya]

"Avatar" is one of the oldest words in the dictionary.

 

[nonconformist]

"Avatar" is greek, meaning a physical manifestation of the gods or something

 

[Bigfoot3814]

"Avatar" is greek, meaning a physical manifestation of the gods or something

That's a pretty grandiose term for a dumb picture under your internet name.

 

[lovett]

"Avatar" is one of the oldest words in the dictionary.

I heard it was retiring, to hand the torch to the younger more nubile 'Manifestation'.

 

[nonconformist]

That's a pretty grandiose term for a dumb picture under your internet name

Says the guy using the term "grandiose"

 

[Bigfoot3814]

What's wrong with grandiose?

 

[LucyDuke]

Isn't it self-evident?

 

[Bigfoot3814]

I thought it meant exaggeration to the point of near silliness. Is that wrong?

 

[Bill3000]

I thought it meant exaggeration to the point of near silliness. Is that wrong?

Adjective

grandiose

1. large and impressive, in size, scope or extent
2. pompous or pretentious

the term "grandiose" is grandiose

 

[Rossiya]

Adjective

grandiose

1. large and impressive, in size, scope or extent
2. pompous or pretentious

the term "grandiose" is grandiose

I was going to say the last thing you said, but I thought, "No, that would be useless".

 

[Spectre X]

I propose blogosphere.

We'll need to include blag in there too, then!