Merriam Webster just added 'trash pandas', 'cake pops' and 'Rickrolls' to its online dictionary
The Merriam-Webster dictionary just added 1,400 new words to its website and some of the entries are straight out of Gen-Z speak. In their own words, their collection is getting a “glow up” — and yes, that’s one of the words.
We know the dictionary is usually considered a serious, formal document but language evolves and sometimes that means social media phenomenon like a “Rickroll” needs to be formally defined too — to warn people, if nothing else.
Also straight out of the internet are, “looksmaxxing”, “vibe coding” and “uncanny valley”.
Food is also a source of new words — and also of nutrients if it’s a “superfood”. But if you’re not one of the people who avoid carbs and sugars like the plague, you might want to have have “bao” buns as an appetiser, add some “chilli crisps” to your meal as a side and finish off with some “cake pops” for dessert.
A “neckbeard” can now be defined as both the actual beard but also as a member of three subcultures associated with the facial hair — but don’t use it that way, it’s not very nice and might invite a “crashout”.
“Cuffing season”, which is coming up soon, has been defined and so have “Sunday scaries”, which are even closer. Also being recognised are “trash pandas” — and we’re wondering if Jimothy the viral raccoon had a part to play in that.
Now, if you think this whole article is a “whack-a-mole”, with every other word being one you need to look up, we recommend opening the dictionary yourself — or you might end up taking a healthy serving of “copium”.










