Some of the new words added into the Scrabble dictionary will make you "LOLZ," but millennials will definitely have an easier time trying to score some high points thanks to these additions. That means players of the popular game can "obvs" say "thanx" to Scrabble's publisher Collins for adding "hashtag" "dench" (excellent) words.
Technology terms and popular words used on social media and in texts like "emoji," "FaceTime," "hacktivist," and thousands more words were added to the Scrabble dictionary on Thursday.
Collins Official Scrabble Worldlist got 6,5000 new additions in total, with the new highest scoring word being "quinzhee" (an Inuit snow shelter) for 26 points.
Texting terms like "emoji" will earn 14 points, whereas "LOLZ" will earn 13 points. Other tech and text terms added include "checkbox" and "sexting."
Other interesting words added include many slang terms that are used conversationally. These include "twerking," "shizzle," "ridic," "vape," "grr," and "bezzy." Keep in mind, players will have to use one "z" and a blank title to spell out the latter's slang term for best friend.
Scrabble players may be shocked to find that many slang terms were added; however, as language continues to evolve, it only makes sense that some of the most commonly used terms would make it in the book.
According to Collins website, the new words added to the Official Scrabble Wordlist are "influenced by all parts of like including social media, slang, technology, and food."
"Dictionaries have always included formal and informal English, but it used to be hard to find printed evidence of the use of slang words," Helen Newstead, head of language content at Collins told BBC. "Now people use slang in social media posts, tweets, blogs, comments, text messages—you name it —so there's a host of evidence for informal varieties of English that simply didn't exist before."
Other words added include exclamations like "bleach," "waah," "yeesh," "ugh," and "eww."
While it's now safe to spell emoji on the game board, we can't help but wonder if actual emoticons will one day be included in the Scrabble pieces. Until then, these new additions will surely be enough to have your family LOLZ.
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