Name: What makes a word "real"?
Uploaded: 2014-06-17T14:52:33Z
Duration: 16 min 59 s
Description: One could argue that slang words like ‘hangry,’ ‘defriend’ and ‘adorkable’ fill crucial meaning gaps in the English language, even if they don't appear in the dictionary. After all, who actually decides which words make it into those pages? Language historian Anne Curzan gives a charming look at the humans behind dictionaries, and the choices they make.

One could argue that slang words like ‘hangry,’ ‘defriend’ and ‘adorkable’ fill crucial meaning gaps in the English language, even if they don't appear in the dictionary. After all, who actually decides which words make it into those pages? Language historian Anne Curzan gives a charming look at the humans behind dictionaries, and the choices they make.

Anne Curzan: What makes a word "real"?

What makes a word "real"?

Language evolves through collective creativity and use, not through dictionary edicts. Words like 'hangry' show linguistic vibrancy.

Dictionaries mirror language change, not dictate it. Terms like 'LOL' gain legitimacy through usage, not editorial decree.

Every speaker contributes to language evolution. If a community uses and understands a word, it's as 'real' as any dictionary entry.