Smart Aleck
The question Aug. 30: To celebrate the centennial of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, its editors will add 100 new words and delete others. What words would you like to add or delete from the language? Feel free to coin words.
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The following words should be added to the dictionary:
godzilla, n. any movie that would have been better if it went straight to video.
Emmanuel Rustia, Chino Hills
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biznit, n. the section of an American town or city that contains the chain restaurants, chain stores and strip malls, usually found along one major street. (Example: “Excuse me, I’m new to Fresno, and I’m looking for a Barnes & Noble. Could you tell me where your biznit is?”)
Matt Belknap, West Hollywood
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Tripp-trap, n. illegal acts to entrap a friend, such as secretly taping phone conversations, to advance one’s own purse, fame and desire for revenge.
Helen Colton, Los Angeles
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The following words should be deleted:
Monica and Lewinsky, and El Nino and La Nina.
Walter E. Hopmans, Santa Barbara
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integrity: “It seems to be missing from most people’s vocabulary anyway.”
Stuart Finkelstein, Long Beach
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