'Emoji,' 'photobomb,' 'jegging,' — Merriam-Webster dictionary adds 1,700 new words

HARTFORD – Last week, Scrabble announced 6,500 new words it added to the game's official dictionary. Now, Merriam-Webster Dictionary is getting some updating too.

"A Growth Spurt," the Editors write. "It's happened again: this dictionary has gotten bigger."

Over the last week, they have added 1,700 entries include emoji, photobomb, and jegging. They've also added 3,200 examples to update the context of existing words.

You've probably heard of some of the new entries, but some might be brand new to you.

Emoji's first known use was in 1997, but it's just joining the dictionary now. It refers to any of various small images, symbols, or icons used in text fields in electronic communication.

Clickbait refers to something designed to make readers want to click on link, especially when the link leads to content of dubious value or interest.

Now here's a new one: Eggcorn. No, it's not a new flavor of quiche or some kind of organic breakfast item. It's a word or phrase that sounds like and is mistakenly used in a seemingly logical way for another word or phrase. "For all intents and purposes," for example is a set phrase. It gets misheard as "for all intensive purposes." That's an eggcorn.

There are two new abbreviation additions, both might keep you from getting fired from work. Yup — NSFW and WTF are now part of the dictionary.

Read more of the new words from Merriam-Webster here.

Noah Webster, author of the first Merriam-Webster dictionary in 1828 (then it was called An American Dictionary of the English Language) was born in West Hartford. He lived in Hartford and New Haven, attended Yale University, and is buried at the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven.