Webster dictionary adds 1,400 words, including trash panda

Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words to its dictionary, reflecting modern cultural shifts and digital trends. New entries include terms like 'trash panda,' 'glow-up,' and 'cuffing season,' alongside culinary and social phenomena.
Why it matters
The evolution of language in dictionaries provides a historical record of how societal trends and digital culture shape human communication.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Max Matza Getty Images Raccoons are affectionately nicknamed trash pandas, due to their love of foods found in people's rubbish Merriam-Webster, America's oldest dictionary publisher, has added 1,400 new words, including glow-up, looksmaxxing, meme coin and trash panda - the affectionate nickname for raccoons.
"The new entries reflect words and meanings that have demonstrated widespread use over time, offering a window into the world today," the publisher said in a blog post.
Other newly-added words are culinary-inspired, including superfood (foods rich in nutrients), bao (a stuffed bread bun popular in Asia), and cake pop (cake and icing on a lollipop stick).
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