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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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A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

 

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

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What Is an Eggcorn?

 

And how did it get that name?

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Fun, Funner, Funnest

 

Why does it sound strange to say 'funner' or 'funnest?'

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How to Remember 'Affect' and 'Effect'

 

A simple way to keep them apart. (Most of the time.)

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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Sneaked vs. Snuck

 

How the irregular 'snuck' sneaked into the dictionary