I just really like the dictionary.
I teach first and second grade and when I ask students how to find the meaning of a word they don’t know, the most common answer these days is to “ask Alexa.” I mean, honestly, same. I don’t remember the last time I opened a physical dictionary and if I come across a new word, I opt to type it into Google like any other millennial.
That being said, I do remember actually using the dictionary both at school and at home back in the olden days, aka the 90s. I mean, we had pocket dictionaries! Take that, cell phones!
Every year there are new words added to the dictionary, and I absolutely love finding out what made the cut. Which new words have snuck into our lexicon and will be permanently recorded? The new list just dropped at the beginning of October and my favorites include:
beach read, noun: a usually light work of escapist fiction (such as a thriller or romance)
touch grass, idiomatic phrase: to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions
But why are we celebrating dictionary day? Is there cake? Today is Noah Webster’s birthday, which is why today’s the day. And I’m sure he’d love cake. So, to honor the father of the American Dictionary and dictionaries the world over, enjoy some words that were taken out of alphabetical order and made into books.
Also, if you’re not following Merriam-Webster on Instagram, you’re doing social media wrong.
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