(PIX11) -Thank smartphones and social media for a batch of new words being added to the Oxford English Dictionary.
“Selfie,” “bitcoin,” and “digital detox” are among the words added as part of the dictionary’s quarterly update.
According to Oxford, the official definition of “selfie” is, “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.”
Another popular slang term that is now an official word is “twerk.” The risque dance, now made infamous by Miley Cyrus and her MTV VMAs performance, is defined as, “to dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance.”
“With influences ranging from technology to fashion, there is something for everyone in the update,” Oxford said in a blog post.
Many of these words, which were spawned on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat, have been popular among teens and young people in recent years.
“The additions may have only just entered the dictionary, but we’ve been watching them for a while now, tracking how and where they are used,” Oxford added.
