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FYI, Oxford English Dictionary now has LOL, OMG!
by Jaspreet Virk - March 26, 2011 - comments
Though these slangs or abbreviations are associated with modern electronic communications like text messages, social networks, and blogs, some have roots in history.
Still wondering what words like LOL and FYI mean? OMG! Even the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has included the popular buzz words in its revised online edition.
In a move to keep up with the Gen-X, the Oxford English Dictionary Online has given recognition to abbreviations commonly used in text messages and social networking sites these days.
For those still not well versed with the web slang, LOL stands for 'laugh out loud,' OMG is 'Oh my God,' or sometimes ‘gosh’, ‘goodness’ etc., and FYI is 'for your information.'
Web shapes official dictionary
Explaining the reason behind adding these words, OED explained that “a number of noteworthy initialisms...are strongly associated with the language of electronic communications.”
Further, they are quicker to type, and “in the case of text messages, or Twitter they help say more in media where there is a limit to a number of characters.”
Also, for the first time in 127-year history, OED has added symbol. Those looking for the word 'heart' will also find a picture of the heart as a symbol for verb love. For instance “I ♥ NY tourism campaign.”
Other abbreviations that have made it to the online edition of Oxford English Dictionary are TMI (too much information) and BFF (best friends forever), IMHO (in my humble opinion) WAG (wives and girlfriends).
All these expressions are among the 900 words added to the dictionary.
Tracing the origin
Though these slangs or abbreviations are associated with modern electronic communications like text messages, social networks, and blogs, some have roots in history.
OED's chief editor John Simpson, stated, "As is often the case, OED’s research has revealed some unexpected historical perspectives: our first quotation for OMG is from a personal letter from 1917; the letters LOL had a previous life, starting in 1960, denoting an elderly woman (or ‘little old lady’) and the entry for FYI for example, shows it originated in the language of memoranda in 1941.”
Other additions
Also, for the first time in 127-year history, OED has added symbol. Those looking for the word 'heart' will also find a picture of the heart as a symbol for verb love. For instance “I ♥ NY tourism campaign.”
Considering the obesity epidemic in Britain, the dictionary has also added 'muffin top,' referring to a protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers.
Other words included are la-la land: referring to Los Angeles or to a state of being out of touch with reality.
Non-dom: short form for non-domiciled
Pap: short form of paparazzo
dot-bomb: failed internet company
couch surfing: practice of spending the night on other people’s couches instead of permanent housing.