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American Morning

Ask CNN: How Are Slang Words Developed, and Who Determines If They Are Published in the Dictionary?

Aired July 26, 2001 - 10:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHAE ELSTON, ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Hi, my name is Shae Elston. I'm originally from Atlanta, Georgia. And my question for CNN is "How are slang words developed, and who determines if they are published in the dictionary?"

JOHN MORSE, PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER, MERRIAM-WEBSTER, INC.: That's a great question, Shae. I think slang is part of the language that we enjoy the most. It really is coming from people using their language in some of the most creative, interesting, and witty ways.

Who determines whether they get into the dictionary? That really belongs to the dictionary makers. What lexicographers do is monitor the language, watching what is going on in books, magazines and newspapers. We look for real examples of words being used in mainstream publications, in "TIME," "Newsweek," or on the air on CNN.

When we see one of those good new words, like "dweeb" or "dis," then we want to make note of it. And when we have sufficient evidence that it's going to stay in the language, it goes in the dictionary.

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