New Words Squeeze In

Writers will be interested in this article on Yahoo, which discusses the ninth edition of the Collins English Dictionary, and the words that have gained entry to the book.

The new arrivals provided a snapshot of the way the English language has thrown up new words to describe the modern world.

Examples of new words recognised are: "hoodie", "size zero", "radicalising", "rendition", "carbon footprint", "Gitmo" (slang for the Guantanamo Bay US detention camp), "me-media", "pro-ana", and "plasma screen television".

A Collins spokesperson said that many of the words "will undoubtedly sink back into obscurity being bound up with today's ephemera, but others will take root."