Topic: Dictionary

Dictionary.com revealed "67" as its word of the year, a choice criticized as "lame." A listener's note on homeschooling argues that children educated at home are less susceptible to such social media-driven trends and are better prepared for practical life tasks.

The Oxford English Dictionary has added several new words, including "Cubano," "real talk," and the British slang "faffy." Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, a couple was arrested by six police officers for comments made in a private WhatsApp group regarding their daughter's school. The incident has raised significant concerns about the state of free speech and the policing of "malicious communications" in Britain.

Oxford University Press named "brain rot" as the 2024 Word of the Year, defining it as the deterioration of a person's mental state due to the overconsumption of trivial online content. The term has gained popularity on platforms like TikTok and BlueSky to describe the feeling of cognitive decline from endless scrolling. This linguistic shift reflects a growing awareness of the negative impacts of digital hyper-connectivity.

Merriam-Webster names "authentic" as the word of the year for 2023, citing high search volume. The hosts express skepticism about the dictionary's data and suggest that "indict" would have been a more culturally relevant choice given the year's news events.

Modern dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, have updated the definition of "decimate" to include widespread destruction. Historically, the term referred specifically to the removal of one-tenth of a group. Linguists note that the word is now commonly accepted as a synonym for "devastate," reflecting changes in popular usage over time.

Donors express appreciation for the show's scrutiny of loaded language and its critique of Merriam-Webster. Other listeners describe the podcast as a "refuge" of sanity that they discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has updated its definition of "anti-vaxxer" to include those who oppose vaccine mandates. Additionally, the hosts discuss reports of unusual side effects, including a listener's anecdote and a Sky News report linking COVID-19 to erectile dysfunction.

Dictionary.com has announced it will replace the noun "slave" with "enslaved person" to avoid dehumanizing language. The hosts mock this linguistic shift, questioning if historical media like the book and miniseries "Roots" will be censored next. They joke about the absurdity of using "enslaved" as a derogatory command in a "PC" environment.

A satirical strategy is proposed for those refusing the vaccine: telling people they are "giving up their spot" for a friend or neighbor who needs it more. This is framed as a way to handle social pressure while avoiding the shot.

The evolution of the word "irregardless" in modern dictionaries is discussed following a clip of Megyn Kelly using the term. While Merriam-Webster now recognizes it as a word due to 200 years of usage, the Oxford English Dictionary still advises against its use by "careful users." The segment also touches on the fact that dictionaries are copyrighted works, requiring each publisher to write unique definitions.

The new Merriam-Webster definition of racism is criticized for being recursive by using the word racism within its own definition. Dictionaries are copyrighted works that require specific documentation and proof for every entry, making the Oxford English Dictionary the primary authority for linguistic standards.

Merriam-Webster agreed to revise its dictionary definition of racism after receiving an email from Kennedy Meacham, a recent college graduate from Missouri. Meacham argued that the existing definition was inadequate because it did not explicitly include the concept of systemic oppression. The editor of the dictionary confirmed that a draft for a more comprehensive entry is currently being developed to reflect institutional factors.

Merriam-Webster has added several new words and updated definitions for existing terms, including "snowflake," "gig economy," and "vulture capitalism." The hosts debate the novelty of these terms, noting that many have been in common usage for years.

A discussion on the mechanics of the publishing industry suggests that high-profile authors often use ghostwriters who may inadvertently plagiarize material. An interesting legal detail is revealed: dictionaries are copyrighted, meaning new word definitions must be rewritten to avoid infringement. The segment explains that minor plagiarism claims are often settled quietly through small licensing fees paid by agents or publishers.

The show concludes with a musical parody about Roger Stone's arrest and a series of clips featuring Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump. A bizarre recurring theme regarding "Baby Hitler" and whether pro-life individuals would kill him is featured in the closing mix. The hosts sign off with their traditional "adios mofos" as the "war on alternative media" clip plays.

Friendsgiving has emerged as a modern alternative to traditional family-centric Thanksgiving celebrations, often used by those who prefer spending the holiday with peers. A search of the Urban Dictionary reveals several crude and prank-based definitions for the term involving turkey gravy. The hosts debate whether the trend is a genuine social shift or a product of internet subcultures.

Merriam-Webster and other online dictionaries have updated the definition of nationalism to emphasize "excessive favoritism" and associations with Nazism. The hosts argue that these linguistic shifts are politically motivated responses to leaders like Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau. The term jingoism is discussed as a more historically accurate but less frequently used alternative for extreme patriotism.

A debate has emerged regarding the linguistic hijacking of the word "nationalism," which historically shared a definition with "patriotism." While modern political discourse links nationalism to the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1920s and 30s, historical figures like Charles de Gaulle were considered nationalists without the same negative connotations. Critics argue the term is being weaponized by the media to imply white supremacy when used by Donald Trump.

Analysis of Christine Blasey Ford's testimony focuses on her use of "vocal fry" and the validity of her polygraph test, which some suggest was easily defeatable. The discussion shifts to Brett Kavanaugh's high school yearbook references, specifically the term "boofing." While Kavanaugh claimed it referred to flatulence, research into the Urban Dictionary suggests it refers to the consumption of alcohol via the rectum to avoid detection on the breath.

Oxford Dictionaries named "youthquake" as the 2017 word of the year, defined as significant change caused by young people. The runner-up was "Milkshake Duck," a term for a viral star who is quickly found to have a problematic past. The hosts and their "troll room" express confusion over these choices, noting that "feminism" was Webster's word of the year.