Embiggen, A Word Invented By The Simpsons, Added To Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
Merriam-Webster has officially entered the word "embiggen," inspired by the animated sitcom, The Simpsons, into its online dictionary, the publisher announced on Monday, March 5.
Merriam-Webster Adds 'Embiggen' To Dictionary
The publisher announced that the word "embiggen" was one of 850 words and phrases that it has added to the 2018 edition of its online dictionary.
Merriam-Webster defined "embiggen" as "to make bigger or more expansive" and points out that it is used in an "informal" or "humorous" context.
A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man. Also, 'embiggen' is now a word we enter. https://t.co/3XmkZO0ral pic.twitter.com/wLUDsWIAga— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) March 5, 2018
Inspired By 'The Simpsons'
The made-up word was used notably in a Simpsons episode that dates back to 1996. In the Season 7 episode, titled Lisa the Iconoclast, there's a scene where students from Springfield Elementary School find out that the motto of their town is "a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man." The town's purported founding father, Jebediah Springfield, used the said term.
When teacher Edna Krabappel points out that she has never heard of the term "embiggens" before moving to Springfield, fellow teacher Elizabeth Hoover responds with another fake word. "I don't know why. It's a perfectly cromulent word," she says.
As It turns out, "embiggen" and "cromulent" were both used in the episode as part of a dare. The Simpsons showrunners had apparently challenged the episode's writers to include two completely made-up words that sound real but have no clear definitions into the script.
Other Notable Additions To The Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Apart from "embiggens," the publishing company also announced a number of other additions, including "wordie," which is essentially used to describe someone who loves words, and "mansplain," which means explaining something to a woman in a condescending tone based on the assumption that she has no knowledge of the subject or topic.
Some of the other notable mentions that made the cut include cryptocurrency, a digital currency that operates independently of a central bank, glamping which refers to outdoor camping with amenities and comforts not usually used when camping and life hack defined as a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently.
The online dictionary also added the word "dumpster fire" which has been defined as "an utterly calamitous or mismanaged situation or occurrence: disaster."
