Self-Quarantine and Social Distancing... Merriam-Webster Dictionary Includes COVID-19 Related Terms

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The oldest Merriam-Webster dictionary in the United States has included newly coined words that emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the German dpa news agency, the newly added words include self-isolate, physical distancing, and herd immunity.

Along with these, abbreviations such as WFH (Working From Home) and PPF (Personal Protective Equipment) were also registered.

Last month, considering their essential role in communication, terms like Covid-19, Contact tracing, and Community spread were added to the dictionary separately from the regular revision process.

Merriam-Webster stated, "A word is included in the dictionary when it becomes widely used by the public, and it usually takes several years to be officially registered. However, in special cases like the COVID-19 pandemic, new words can be added immediately."

In addition, in the technology field, deepfake was newly registered. This refers to a technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to synthesize the faces and bodies of famous figures such as politicians or celebrities, deceiving people into believing they performed actions or said things they actually did not.

Also, microtarget, meaning customized advertisements or political messages aimed at specific groups, was added to the dictionary.

Zonkey, a hybrid born from the crossbreeding of a zebra and a donkey, also appeared.

Furthermore, thirsty has expanded beyond its traditional dictionary definition to mean "a desire for attention, support, or recognition," which Merriam-Webster explained reflects the strong tendency of English speakers to use metaphor to express new concepts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.