Hundreds of new words and definitions were added to Merriam-Webster’s ranks on Monday, including many words that reflect the current obsessions of English-speakers, such as “cryptocurrency” and “dumpster fire.” The additions related to crypto show just how much confusion there is around how the new branch of finance works. Average Americans are frequently seeking out information about cryptocurrencies themselves, as well as coin “offerings” and the underlying blockchain technology. Some of the definitions from Merriam-Webster are understandably a mouthful.
cryptocurrency (n.): any form of currency that only exists digitally, that usually has no central issuing or regulating authority but instead uses a decentralized system to record transactions and manage the issuance of new units, and that relies on cryptography to prevent counterfeiting and fraudulent transactions
dumpster fire (n., informal): an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence
Other words added include “unicorn: a start-up that is valued at one billion dollars or more, “mansplain: to explain something to a woman in a condescending way that assumes she has no knowledge about the topic” and “dumpster fire: an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence.”
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