You may have heard that English has celebrated its 1000000th word, according to the Global Language Monitor. Unfortunately, many English experts tend to disagree – especially the dictionary types. So let’s look at some of the words that have made it into the Oxford English Dictionary…Muggle: n. In the fiction of J.K. Rowling: a person who possesses no magical powers. Hence in allusive and extended uses: a person who lacks a particular skill or skills, or who is regarded as inferior in some way.
Yes, we know – you probably didn’t need the definition. You’re clearly no muggle (in the new, metaphorical sense, not the whole non-magical one).
Threequel: n. The third film, book, event, etc. in a series; a second sequel.
Sequel: good word. Prequel: works for us. Threequel: why? Seriously, why? Do we really need this word to tell us that Spider-man 3 is two movies removed from Spiderman? And what about Harry Potter? Is the next movie to be call a sixquel? Where will it all end?
Meatspace: n. The physical world, as opposed to virtual.
“Cyberspace” is a cool word. It makes you think of high-tech adventures, virtual reality, the future. “Meatspace”, on the other hand, evokes images of butchers and horror movies. Given the choice, I’d get out of meatspace as quickly as possible. Also, when you have to coin a new word to refer to the real word, this whole web thing may be getting a little bit out of hand.
Want more? Go interrogate the Oxford Dicionary here.
