Need further proof that Miley Cyrus’ controversial MTV Video Music Awards performance will go down in the annals of history? Just check out the latest revision to the Oxford English Dictionary, which now includes the verb “twerking.”
According to Oxford Dictionaries’ Katherine Connor Martin, “twerking” isn’t a brand-new term by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it’s been around for more than twenty years.
“There are many theories about the origin of this word, and since it arose in oral use, we may never know the answer for sure,” Martin told Britain’s Daily Mail. “We think the most likely theory is that it is an alteration of work, because that word has a history of being used in similar ways, with dancers being encouraged to ‘work it.’ The ‘t’ could be a result of blending with another word such as twist or twitch.
Even actor Morgan Freeman seems to be excited about the new addition, performing a dramatic reading of the new officially-sanctioned word on HLN’s “Morning Express” Wednesday.
Cyrus’ infamous dance move wasn’t the only new addition inspired by popular culture, however. “Selfies,” “phablets” and “bitcoins” also made the cut. In June, Oxford added “e-Reader,” “flash mob” and “to have a cow” to its annals.
Listed below are 18 of the newest words in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Apols
pl. n. (informal): apologies
Babymoon
n. (informal): a relaxing or romantic holiday taken by parents-to-be before their baby is born; a period of time following the birth of a baby during which the new parents can focus on establishing a bond with their child.
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