What 3 New Additions to the Dictionary Matter for You, Parents
Let’s talk about the words around our bodies, yes? It’s a topic that’s had a lot of ink spilled about it, and for good reason. Words shape our perception of the world–especially in these days of 24/7 content. And when it comes to the perception of our own bodies? Y’all, I know you (and especially the moms among you) have some words about your bodies. And, for the record, that’s totally normal.
But here’s reassuring news:
Just like your relationship with your body evolves over time, so too does the language around bodies and health. Every year, new words are added to the dictionary (445 of them in 2021!) and words that aren’t used any more are taken out of it. The point is for the dictionary to be useful–a reflection of actual life–and not just a word museum. And since dictionaries are now online, that’s pretty easy to do. Nice, right?
How do I know this, you ask? I have a friend who regularly listens to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Podcast. (I KNOW. But she really is delightful, word-nerdiness and all.) And she told me lately (with just a liiiiittle excitement) about some recent additions. Here’s a run-down of my favorites:
TBH (I didn’t know they included acronyms in the dictionary, TBH.)
Oobleck (If you have a toddler, you know.)
Dad bod (Ha! Glad they’ve made this official.)
Because…but as a preposition. (Like, “I had to leave the room because…reasons.”)
But not all the words are so much fun. Also added this year is breakthrough–as in breakthrough cases of COVID.
And parents, some of the new additions point right to you. Let’s take a look at a few–both the good and the not-so-good ways language around bodies changed this past year.
The Good News?
Maybe you’ve heard of the “Fourth Trimester”? Merriam-Webster added the term to the dictionary this year. Here’s their definition:
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; especially : the first three months of an infant's life.
Listen, in the US, our healthcare system and parental-leave system are still pretending the Fourth Trimester doesn’t exist. But it’s now officially in the dictionary, and that’s a tiny step in the right direction. So…yay?
The Not-So-Good News
Apparently, though, most of the medical-related changes to the dictionary this year were a move in the wrong direction. Most of the medically-related additions this year were not about treatment of and caring for human bodies. Instead, they were mostly about insurance and bureaucracy.
Well, if the dictionary wants to be a reflection of real life…bravo, Merriam-Webster.
Here are two that stuck out:
Hospitalist: a physician and especially an internist who specializes in providing and managing the care and treatment of hospitalized patients