Topic: Oxford Dictionary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Oxford Dictionary names "post-truth" as the word of the year for 2016. An RT segment defines the term as a shift where emotion outweighs objective facts in public opinion. The hosts argue that a lack of investigative resources in corporate media leads to the repetition of political lies.

Oxford Dictionaries selected "post-truth" as the 2016 Word of the Year. This choice is discussed alongside the frequent media use of "xenophobia" and "misogyny." The hosts express surprise that "xenophobia" did not win, given its sudden ubiquity in political discourse.

Mona Chalabi of The Guardian argues that "grammar snobs" are patronizing and use outdated rules to silence marginalized groups. The discussion explores the evolution of language, the interchangeable use of "less" and "fewer," and the Oxford Dictionary's updated definition of the word "literally."

The hosts discuss the mechanics of how language evolves through usage and the role of major dictionaries in "knighting" new definitions. They also touch on the social etiquette of correcting others and how technology like Alexa influences pronunciation.

Donald Trump's use of the term "anchor babies" is defended against ABC News' claims that the phrase is "offensive." The hosts consult the Oxford Dictionary, noting it does not label the term as offensive. They discuss the political implications of birthright citizenship and the media's attempt to enforce political correctness.