Published: September 27, 2025, 10:00 EDT

NEW YORK — Merriam-Webster has unveiled a major update to its signature reference book, announcing the release of the 12th edition of the Collegiate Dictionary. The revised edition, set for release on November 18, adds more than 5,000 new words and usage examples, reflecting linguistic shifts influenced by technology, culture, and everyday speech.

The update is the first complete overhaul of the Collegiate in 22 years, underscoring the evolving role of print dictionaries in an increasingly digital world.

A Major Update for a Classic Dictionary

The new edition incorporates contemporary terms such as “petrichor,” the pleasant scent after rain, and “teraflop,” a measure of computing speed. Also included are “dumbphone,” describing basic mobile devices that predate smartphones, and “ghost kitchen,” a term popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic for commercial cooking spaces used primarily for delivery services.

Other cultural and lifestyle expressions added include “cold brew,” “farm-to-table,” “dad bod,” “hard pass,” “adulting,” and “cancel culture.” Internet-driven slang such as “rizz,” “doomscroll,” “side-eye,” and workplace terms like “WFH” also made the cut.

In addition to new entries, more than 20,000 usage examples have been added to help illustrate how words function in context.

Making Room for New Language

To accommodate the growing vocabulary, Merriam-Webster removed sections from the previous edition that contained sparse biographical and geographical entries. According to company president Greg Barlow, these features no longer reflect how people use dictionaries.

“People don’t turn to a dictionary to find where Kalamazoo is or who Rimsky-Korsakov was. They go to the internet for that,” Barlow told the Associated Press. He added that the new design aims to be “more rewarding to browse, more fun to look through, and practical for research.”

The update also eliminated certain obscure or outdated words, such as “enwheel,” meaning to encircle.

Print Dictionaries in a Digital Age

The latest Collegiate weighs nearly five pounds and arrives at a time when print reference sales have declined. Data from Circana BookScan shows adult reference books, including dictionaries and atlases, have posted annual sales declines since 2022, with a 9% drop in the 12 months ending in September.

Merriam-Webster sells about 1.5 million dictionaries annually, but print editions represent only a small portion of its revenue. “While the print dictionary is not at all important to the growth and profitability of this wonderful language company, it’s still our heart,” Barlow said.

Despite the overall decline, some retailers have reported an uptick in dictionary sales. Barnes & Noble noted a rise in 2025 compared to the previous year, a trend also seen in sales of other reference books. “There’s a certain nostalgia in being able to pull a dictionary off the shelf,” said Kat Sarfas, the chain’s nonfiction marketing manager.

The Enduring Role of Reference Books

While print dictionaries may no longer be the primary resource for most readers, they continue to hold symbolic and practical value. Students in schools with cellphone restrictions, households that value reference collections, and collectors of physical books all contribute to sustained demand.

“Having a print dictionary has long indicated the legitimacy of a language,” said Lindsay Rose Russell, executive director of the Dictionary Society of North America and professor at the University of Illinois. She noted that many Indigenous languages have historically lacked such documentation due to suppression.

For others, the dictionary serves as more than a reference tool. “Some people use the dictionary almost as a meditative resource, opening it to see what they find and letting their minds wander,” said lexicographer Grant Barrett, co-host of the public radio program A Way with Words.

Merriam-Webster’s Digital Strength

While print editions retain a loyal audience, Merriam-Webster’s online presence has become a dominant force. Its website attracts roughly one billion visits per year, supported by mobile apps, online thesauruses, and word games. Over the past decade, the company’s overall revenue has grown nearly 500%, largely through digital offerings.

The new Collegiate includes curated features such as decade-specific word lists and expanded word histories. For example, “calculate” derives from the Latin for “pebble,” a reference to how ancient Romans used stones for arithmetic.

The book also preserves design features beloved by traditional users, such as thumb notches for easy navigation. With the U.S. printer for thumb notches no longer in business, production was outsourced to India to retain the detail.

Dictionaries as Cultural Anchors

Experts say dictionaries continue to serve as cultural anchors that help shape collective understanding of language. They not only reflect new words but also legitimize them by including them in a widely respected reference.

For the music world, print dictionaries even played a role in shaping band names. William King, trumpet player for the Commodores, once shared that the group found its name by running a finger down a dictionary page. “We almost became ‘The Commodes,’” he told People magazine in 1978.

For Merriam-Webster, the new edition balances tradition with modernity, offering a resource that appeals both to digital natives and those who cherish the tactile experience of a physical book.

Source: AP News – Hard pass. Cold brew. Dad bod. Merriam-Webster adds over 5,000 words to ‘Collegiate’ dictionary

The post Merriam-Webster Updates Collegiate Dictionary with 5,000 New Words appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

April kicks off with a mix of blooming flowers and mischievous fun as April Fools’ Day arrives on Tuesday, April 1. Whether you love pulling pranks or often find yourself the unsuspecting target, this day is all about laughter and good-natured tricks. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect prank, we’ve got you covered with a list of creative and hilarious ideas guaranteed to spark smiles—and maybe even a few surprised reactions!

15 Must-Try Pranks for April Fools’ Day 2025

1. The Cereal Swap

Catch your family off guard by switching their favorite cereal with a completely different kind. Bonus points if you swap it for one they dislike!

2. The Upside-Down Water Trick

Fill a glass with water, cover it with a sturdy card, flip it onto a flat surface, and carefully slide the card out. Your family will be puzzled as they try to clean up the mess without spilling water everywhere.

3. Colorful Toilet Surprise

Add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet bowl. When someone flushes, they’ll be stunned to see the water turn an unexpected shade!

4. Cracked Phone Screen Prank

Download a realistic cracked screen wallpaper and set it as someone’s phone background. Watch their panic set in before they realize it’s just a harmless trick!

5. The Sleep Relocation Trick

If your kids are heavy sleepers, move them to a sibling’s room during the night. When they wake up, they’ll be baffled about how they got there.

6. Jiggly Juice Prank

Pour gelatin into a clear glass and let it set overnight to resemble juice. Hand it to someone in the morning and enjoy watching them try to sip it through a straw!

7. Swimsuit Drawer Swap

Replace all the underwear in someone’s drawer with swimsuits. Their confused reaction when they get dressed will be priceless.

8. Googly Eye Takeover

Stick googly eyes on household items like milk cartons, soap dispensers, and fruit. Your family won’t stop laughing as they discover them throughout the day!

9. Balloon Closet Surprise

Fill a closet or dresser with balloons. When someone opens it, they’ll be greeted with a colorful, cheerful explosion!

10. Frozen Cereal Trick

Pour a bowl of cereal and milk the night before and freeze it. The next morning, serve it as usual and enjoy watching your family struggle with their rock-solid breakfast.

11. Toilet Paper Message

Unroll some toilet paper and write a funny message like, “Hope you’re washing your hands!” Roll it back up and wait for the laughter to begin.

12. Honk and Wave Prank

Tape a sign to the back of your car that reads, “My kids are playing an April Fools’ joke on me. Honk and wave!” Watch their delight as strangers join in on the fun!

13. Toothpaste Trick

Swap out toothpaste with something unexpected like cream cheese or frosting. Your family will get a sweet surprise when they brush their teeth!

14. Bugged Ice Cubes

Freeze small plastic bugs inside ice cubes and drop them into drinks. The reaction when someone spots them will be hilarious!

15. The Brown “E” Prank

Tell your family you made brownies, then present them with a pan full of cut-out brown paper “E’s” instead. Watch their excitement turn to confusion!

April Fools’ Day is the perfect opportunity to add some lighthearted fun to the start of the month. Whether you go big with elaborate pranks or keep it simple with classic tricks, remember that the best pranks bring laughter and joy to everyone involved. Happy pranking!

Source: Hindustantimes – April Fool’s Day 2025: 15 fun pranks to pull on friends and family

The post 15 Fun and Easy April Fools’ Pranks to Try This Year appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.