From 'dad bod' to 'fluffernutter,' Merriam-Webster adds 455 new words to the dictionary

Gabriela Miranda, USA TODAY
·2 min read

"TBH" – or, to be honest – the world never stops changing and the Merriam-Webster dictionary has adapted by adding 455 new words.

The new set of words are categorized by online culture, politics, tech and science, coronavirus, food and more. Have you heard of Sen. Mitt Romney's favorite snack, a "fluffernutter"? It's defined as "a sandwich made with peanut butter and marshmallow crème between two slices of white sandwich bread," according to Merriam-Webster.

Additions influenced by the coronavirus pandemic include "super-spreader" and "vaccine passport." Along with the pandemic came new slang, memes and an affinity for "dad bods," defined as typical father physiques that are "slightly overweight and not extremely muscular."

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"Amirite" is slang for "am I right" and when used in a sentence looks like, "English spelling is consistently inconsistent, amirite?” Even social media made this year's dictionary with "FTW" (for the win) added as "often used to acknowledge a clever or funny response to a question or meme."

The cooking world has introduced us to quick and easy meals in an "air fryer" and recipes for "goetta," which involves meat mixed with oats, onions and spices, and fried in the form of a patty.

Meanwhile, the fall season is perfect for "horchata," a cold sweetened beverage made from ground rice or almonds usually topped with cinnamon.

Here's a list of other words and slang you need to know according to Merriam-Webster:

  • "fourth trimester": the three-month period immediately following giving birth in which the mother typically recovers from childbirth and adjusts to caring for her infant.

  • "ghost kitchen": a commercial cooking facility used for the preparation of food consumed off the premises – called also cloud kitchen, dark kitchen.

  • "faux-hawk": a hairstyle resembling a Mohawk in having a central ridge of upright hair but with the sides gathered or slicked upward or back instead of shaved.

  • "doorbell camera": a small camera that is designed for use on an exterior door, includes or connects to a doorbell and often has a built-in microphone and speaker.

  • "whataboutism": the act or practice of responding to an accusation of wrongdoing by claiming that an offense committed by another is similar or worse; also, the response itself. The synonymous term "whataboutery" is more common in British English.

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Merriam-Webster adds 455 new words including 'dad bod' and 'amirite'

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