Topic: Webster S Dictionary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The hosts critique Anderson Cooper's reporting on the Planned Parenthood shooter's alleged anti-government views. They engage in a lengthy discussion on the definition of "rhetoric," noting how the modern usage has shifted from "effective oratory" to "bombast and exaggeration." They decide to use Dictionary.com as the official No Agenda source for word definitions moving forward.

A semantic debate arises over the definition of the word "bigot" versus "prejudicial" based on Rick Sanchez's interview comments. The hosts look up the dictionary definition of bigotry to determine if it implies inherent racism or general intolerance. They also question the validity of a quote Sanchez attributed to Mark Twain regarding the requirements of manhood.