Mummy porn, legbomb and broga also make the cut as online dictionary lexicographers select a word for every month
Putting the leg in lexicography … the
dress worn by Angelina Jolie at February's Oscars ceremony spawned a whole new
word. Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
"Mummy porn", "Gangnam
style" and "legbomb" have been named among Collins' online dictionary's words
of 2012.
Consulting editor Ian Brookes said: "Choosing just one word for 2012 didn't match the pace at which our language is changing, so we selected one popular word to represent each month from the whole range of those submitted."
Collins' choices range from January's "broga" – a new form of yoga specifically for men, or "bros" – to December's "fiscal cliff".
In February, Angelina Jolie's pose at
the Oscars "with her right leg jutting out of her high-slit dress" led to the
adoption of a new word, "legbomb". The word makes Collins' top 12 list, but its
inclusion in the online dictionary is under review, as editors study evidence of
its continuing use.
April's choice of "mummy
porn", by contrast, has already made it into the online dictionary, cited as the
new name for erotic fiction following the success of Fifty Shades of
Grey. Author EL
James is unlikely to be happy, however: in a
rare interview with the Irish Independent yesterday, she called the phrase
"one of the most misogynist things I've ever heard in my life", and
"derogatory".
Following choices of "Eurogeddon", "Zuckered" – used after the plummet in share price that followed Facebook's initial public offering, but rejected for inclusion in the dictionary – and "jubilympics", is November's pick of "Gangnam style".
"South Korean musician Psy's catchy song became
the most viewed video on YouTube in November with close to a billion views,"
said Collins. "It has since spawned many spoofs in countries across the globe."
The phrase will be added to the online dictionary in its next update.
The picks came from among almost 7,400 new word submissions from the general public, after Collins opened its online dictionary up to suggestions in recognition of "how language is constantly evolving through pop culture, events and trends". Not all will "have the longevity" to be included in the print dictionary, said the publisher, "but their submission to CollinsDictionary.com shows how the site has become a forum to discuss the new words we use to describe current events and trends".
CollinsDictionary.com words of the year
January: Broga.
February: Legbomb.
March: Eurogeddon.
April: Mummy Porn.
May: Zuckered.
June: Jubilympics.
July: Romneyshambles.
August: Games makers.
September: 47 per cent.
October: Superstorm.
November: Gangnam Style.
December: Fiscal cliff.
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