Oxford adds "twerk," "derp" and "vom" to dictionary

The online dictionary has added 65 terms, spanning from Internet slang and abbreviations to pop culture phenomena

Published August 28, 2013 1:54PM (EDT)

    (<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-286279p1.html'>Masson</a> via <a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>)
(Masson via Shutterstock)

This is why everyone hates those bratty millennials: The Oxford Dictionary Online has yet again legitimized 20-something narcissism and Internet culture with the addition of words like "twerk," "badassery," "selfie," "derp" and "vom" to its online dictionary. As Time notes, "Like it or not, these words are symbols of culture as we know it in 2013." ("Vom?" really?)

Here are a few of the 65 terms, which originate from trends in technology, Internet and pop culture:

• derp, exclam. & n. (informal): (used as a substitute for) speech regarded as meaningless or stupid, or to comment on a foolish or stupid action.

• emoji, n: a small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication

• FOMO, n.: fear of missing out: anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.

• jorts, pl. n.: denim shorts.

• selfie, n. (informal): a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.

• srsly, adv. (informal): short for ‘seriously’.

• street food, n.: prepared or cooked food sold by vendors in a street or other public location for immediate consumption.

• TL;DR, abbrev.: ‘too long didn’t read’: used as a dismissive response to a lengthy online post, or to introduce a summary of a lengthy post.

• twerk, v.: dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance.

• vom, v. & n. (informal): (be) sick; vomit.

Visit Quartz for more terms.


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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