Consider this a friendly heads-up: what lies ahead is brimming with both shade and sharp responses. Politics may also come into play. If that’s not your jam, feel free to exit now.
For those of you still here, let me introduce you to the treasure trove of delight that is Merriam-Webster’s social media presence, the sassiest corner of the internet: the dictionary. Surprised? Yes, dictionaries are still relevant. Merriam-Webster has been around for over 150 years and online since 1996, but it’s their vibrant social media activity that’s made them a beloved figure in the digital space.
Breaking the stereotype that knowledge must be dull and monotonous, M-W’s Twitter feed is not only entertaining but also informative, timely, and just irreverent enough to keep followers gasping in disbelief at their sharp take-downs of poor word choices. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to see that?
We have the vastness of the internet at our disposal, yet many choose to overlook it. Why? Let’s work together to #MakeAmericaSmartAgain, shall we? I’m asking nicely! Thankfully, from the depths of Twitter, one dictionary responded with a resounding, “Absolutely, we can.” Spearheading this movement (and keeping my spirits high) is the content manager at Merriam-Webster, Emma Collins, who asserts that their approach isn’t particularly new. They’ve been running a feature called Trend Watch since 2010, identifying daily trending words and using this data to enrich their blog and provide definitions.
Recently, the words trending have leaned towards politics—no surprise there—but M-W clarifies that these entries simply mirror what people are searching for and do not reflect any political bias. “Our job is to document what people are interested in. We’re not political, so I hope folks don’t get disappointed,” Emma explained.
When there’s a spike in word lookups related to a specific event, they share that trend and offer insights into the word’s meaning and usage. It’s important to note that Emma isn’t a one-woman show; she emphasizes that their social media efforts are a collaborative endeavor. “We’re fortunate to work with a talented, witty team,” she said.
Addressing concerns about perceived political commentary or trolling, M-W reiterates that they simply report lookup trends. “We’ve been doing this since 2010; it’s not new nor partisan. We share spikes in interest for various reasons.”
Translation: They’re just doing their job. So, pick up a dictionary and let’s move on!
As long as “irregardless” and “alternate facts” keep popping up in conversations, I fully support any shade M-W throws. They provide a necessary dose of knowledge with a side of sass, and I’m here for it. Follow Merriam-Webster on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all your linguistic needs.
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In summary, Merriam-Webster’s social media presence has transformed the perception of dictionaries from dull to delightful. Their witty commentary serves as an essential reminder of the importance of language in our daily lives, encouraging us to be more mindful of our word choices.
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