Attention, Word Nerds: The 30 Weirdest Words Added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2014

Corey Wainwright
Corey Wainwright

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The Oxford English Dictionary adds new words and phrases to their dictionary four times a year, and in 2014, the dictionary benefited from thousands of additions.

hand holding books with letters and numbers floating above it

The words tend to reflect technological advancements, pervasive colloquialisms, and shifting language patterns. And while the OED hasn't been as liberal with their additions as the Oxford Dictionaries -- you won't find words and phrases like "hot mess," "adorbs," or "neckbeard" -- they've still managed to stay remarkably "with the times" without sacrificing timelessness. 

Enjoy the list of the 30 weirdest words I found in the 2014 archives -- some may make you raise an eyebrow, others should make you laugh, and some you'll be surprised were only added in 2014. (Baked potato? Really?)

Warning: A few words on the list are NSFW.

30 Weird Words Added to the OED in 2014

Backwashn.

The passing of water or other liquid through a filter in the reverse direction to normal flow in order to flush it clean; an instance of this. Also: Liquid used in such a process.

Baked Potaton.

A potato baked whole and served in its skin.

Beatboxern.

A performer who uses (amplified) vocal effects to imitate the sounds and rhythms of hip-hop music.

Bestien.

A person's best friend; a very close friend.

Bitchingly, adv.

As an intensifier: very, extremely; In a resentful manner; complainingly. Also: in an unpleasant or contemptuous manner; spitefully.

Bitcoinn.

(A proprietary name for) a digital payment system introduced in 2009, having its own unit of account; the unit of account of this system. 

Blobfishn.

Any of several bottom-dwelling deep-sea fishes of the family Psychrolutidae (fathead sculpins), which have large heads; spec. Psychrolutes marcidus of Australian and New Zealand waters, having gelatinous flesh and (once brought to the surface) a distinctive sagging face.

BYODn.

Bring your own device, the policy or practice of allowing employees, customers, etc., to connect to an organization's network using their own smartphones, computers, etc. 

Citrusyadj.

Of a smell, taste, or colour: characteristic or suggestive of citrus fruit. Also: having such a smell, taste, or colour.

Conlangn

An artificially created language.

Crap shootn.

A situation or undertaking regarded as uncertain, risky, or unpredictable.

Evil geniusn.

A malevolent spirit imagined as accompanying a person and seeking to influence him or her to do evil, and often paired with an opposed benevolent spirit; (in extended use) a person who exerts an evil influence; a person with an exceptional capacity for wrongdoing or malevolence; (also) a highly intelligent criminal or villain.

First World problemn.

A problem affecting the First World and its inhabitants; spec. a cause of frustration or dissatisfaction regarded as trivial, and arising only as a result of the economic and social privilege, access to technology, etc., associated with the First World.

Flexitariann.

A person who follows a primarily but not strictly vegetarian diet.

Godzooksint.

Expressing surprise, alarm, frustration, etc.

Group hugn.

A hug shared by three or more people in a group, typically as an expression of support or solidarity.

Hashtag, n.

(On social media web sites and applications) a word or phrase preceded by a hash and used to identify messages relating to a specific topic; (also) the hash symbol itself, when used in this way.

High muckety-muck, n.

A person of high status and influence; an important person, a bigwig.

Hip-hoppingn. adj.

The action of hip-hop. Of or relating to hip-hop; that hip-hops.

Honky-tonkern.

A person who owns, works in, or frequents a honky-tonk (honky-tonk n. 1). Also: a performer of honky-tonk music.

Pescatariann. adj.

A person who eats fish but avoids eating meat; esp. someone who includes fish in an otherwise vegetarian diet. Keeping to a diet which includes fish but not meat; of or relating to pescatarians or their practices.

Sciencyadj.

Of a somewhat scientific or technical nature; (also) having an interest in or aptitude for science.

Selfien.

A photographic self-portrait; esp. one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.

Skypev.

To have a spoken conversation over the Internet using Skype software, freq. while viewing live images of one another on a computer screen or mobile device. Also with in, into: to participate in a conversation or event in another location by using Skype software.

TBHn.

(Orig. and chiefly in online and electronic communication) to be honest.

TP, n. v.

Toilet paper; To cover (a building, trees, etc.) with toilet paper, typically as a prank.

Un-PCadj.

Not politically correct.

Upcycling, n.

The operation or process of reusing waste materials to create a product of higher value or quality; (more generally) the action or process of repurposing or renovating an old or unwanted item to make it more attractive, valuable, etc.

Wackadoodlen. adj.

Alteration of wackadoo. Crazy, mad; eccentric.

Wardrobe malfunctionn.

An instance of an article of a person's clothing slipping out of position, tearing, etc., so as to expose part of the wearer's body (originally and esp. a woman's breast) or otherwise cause embarrassment.

What other weird words did I miss from this year?

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