The Oxford English dictionary is beginning to read more like a definitive guide to Internet culture than a dictionary. Among the hundreds of new words recently added to the dictionary’s repertoire you’ll find definitions for “ROFL” (rolling on the floor laughing), “tl;dr” (short form for “Too long; didn’t read”) and “Pwn” (gamer speak for dominating an opponent).
READ MORE: Inukshuk, keener among ‘Canadian’ words added to Oxford English Dictionary
The OED constantly updates its list of words to keep up with modern phrases and even short forms (this month’s update includes “Deffo,” British slag for “definitely”). Over 1,000 words and phrases have been added to the dictionary this time around – and some are more entertaining than others.
Take for example “Scooby snack,” defined as “a snack given as a treat, or to satisfy hunger induced by drinking and/or smoking.” Or perhaps you weren’t familiar with “Glamping,” otherwise known as glamorous camping.
You can now also look up the true meaning of “Sister from another mister” and “gank,” a slang term for robbing someone, made popular from the lyrics of a song by hip-hop group N.W.A.
Other phrases are much more common, such as “Starter Marriage” — a short-lived marriage, typically viewed as preparation for longer nuptials — and, one many Canadians will be familiar with, “Hockey Mom” (no explanation needed).
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