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Words Matter

New Dictionary Words for 2011

'Cougar,' 'Crowdsourcing,' 'Bromance' & more — the latest additions to America's best-selling dictionary.


'Cougar,' 'Crowdsourcing,' 'Bromance' & more — the latest additions to America's best-selling dictionary.

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play video new words for 2011
New Dictionary Words for 2011

 

'Cougar,' 'Crowdsourcing,' 'Bromance' & more — the latest additions to America's best-selling dictionary.

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What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'?

 

How 'literally' can mean "figuratively"

play merriam-webster eggcorns title page
What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

play further vs farther video
Further vs. Farther

 

They started as same word, but their meanings have drifted apart over time.

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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

play video lay vs lie
Lay vs. Lie

 

Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.

play video soup vs soop
An Abbreviated History of American English Spelling

 

Soop, wimmen, and headake did not make the cut