Retweet, sexting and cyberbullying may be meaningless to some but they are among a host of new entries appearing in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary for the first time today.
But its new centenary edition includes a copy of the 1911 version, which shows Britons thought the words neon, petticoat, and 'indecent dance' the Cancan all deserved similar recognition. The brand-new dictionary contains more than 240,000 words, phrases and definitions, reflecting language used widely in the UK today.
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| Different worlds: Borat's mankini (top) is considered as controversial today as the Cancan was in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary 100 years ago |
Retweet - to repost or forward a message on Twitter, sexting - the sending of sexually explicit photographs or messages via a mobile phone, and woot - used in electronic communication to express elation enthusiasm or triumph, all make the book.
Also fashionable Jeggings - tight-fitting stretch trousers for women and the mankini - a brief one-piece bathing garment for men with a T-back, made famous by comedy character Borat, are in.
But the 1911 limited-edition dictionary included with its 2011 counterpart, offers a glimpse into a world where exciting new words included 'marconigram' - a message sent by Marconi's wireless telegraphy system; 'kinematograph' - an apparatus producing motion pictures; and 'biplane' - a two-winged aeroplane.
'The 1911 dictionary was a lot smaller than the latest version and is phrased more quaintly in some places, but my overriding impression of it is how good it was,' Angus Stevenson, an editor of the 12th edition of the dictionary said.
Words from the fashion world of 1911 show how much the world has changed since brothers Henry and George Fowler compiled their first edition in their Guernsey cottage.
It includes 'blouse' - then defined as a workman's loose linen or cotton garment - 'frock' - a monk's long gown with loose sleeves and 'petticoat' - a skirt dependent from waist, worn by women, girls and young boys, either externally or beneath gown or frock.
Both are additionally defined as women's garments in the current edition.
But it has emerged that new technology and social trends also played a major part in the creation of the first edition in 1911, and some words were considered just as racy.
Mr Stevenson said: 'The Fowler brothers were tireless in setting out new meanings for words and getting to the bottom of what things meant.
'Some of the subjects you find endlessly now as well as then are new technology, slang and colloquial language.'
The 1911 edition cost 3 shillings 6 pence, had 1,041 pages and included 38,000 words. The 2011 edition costs £25, had 1,682 pages and includes 66,500 words
THEN AND NOW: NEW DICTIONARY WORDS IN 1911 AND 2011
1911
Neon: Lately discovered atmospheric gas
Cancan: indecent dance
Jet: a stream of water
Beverage: drinking-liquor
Brabble: paltry, noisy quarrel
Foozle (slang): do clumsily, bungle
Growlery: growling; place to growl in
Bustle: pad or frame puffing out top of woman's skirt behind
2011
Cyberbullying: the use of electronic communication to bully a person
Alternative vote: an electoral system whereby voters rank candidates in order of preference
Denialist: a person who refuses to admit the truth
Slow food: food that is carefully produced or prepared in accordance with local culinary traditions
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