‘Stan’, ‘snowflake’, ‘gig economy’ and ‘peak’ have all been added to the Merriam Webster dictionary – a decade or more after most entered the public vernacular, but still.
For those who’ve been living under a rock, the term ‘stan’ means “an extremely or excessively enthusiastic and devoted fan” – and comes from Eminem’s 2000 collaboration with Dido, ‘Stan’.
Millennials and Gen Z-ers will also be well acquainted with the term ‘snowflake’, which Merriam Webster defines as both “someone regarded or treated as unique or special” and “someone who is overly sensitive”.
However, we all know it’s just a cheap insult to anyone under 40 who disagrees with your opinion on Twitter. We’re so glad it’s become an officially recognised term (said no one ever).
The other terms newly added to the dictionary this year include ‘on-brand’, defined as “typical of a particular brand or public image or identity” and ‘peak’, “being at the height of popularity, use, or attention.”
Something we’re pretty surprised to see making its debut entry is ‘gig economy’, as even Merriam Webster acknowledges the term was coined in 2009.
We’re not sure why it’s taken so long for the hustle of short-term, freelance work to be recognised. Maybe the good folk at MW haven’t had to wrestle with zero hours contracts – or ever met a ‘millennial multi-hyphenate’.
In more cheerful news, EGOT – the acronym that stands for the rare achievement of winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony – has also been formally recognised. John Legend will be pleased.