This article focuses on the creation of new words and phrases and how they are added to the dictionary.
The most recent version of the OED has 203 additions, such as ‘kapow’, meaning the sound of an explosion, gunshot, hard punch or blow.
Popular culture obviously has its effect on language, and Star Wars offers five new additions to the October update: lightsabre, Jedi, the Force, Padawan and Jedi mind trick.
Even words like ‘Simples’, from the Compare the Market adverts have been included, and slang terms like chillax, whateves and sumfin made the cut.
This PDF resource includes this article, as well as accompanying activity ideas:
- Debate whether it’s necessary to evolve the language when we have over 170,000 words already
- Write a short story that includes the following words: kapow, padawan, ange, nomophobia and summum malum
- Create your own dictionary definitions for these three imaginary words: breffingle, nopperhast, yoochitrat
- Investigate and define three English words that originated from each of the following cultures: Anglo Saxon, Norman, Viking and Indian
Find the entire series of Topical Tuesday resources to download here.
What is The Week Junior?
The Week Junior magazine looks at current affairs and helps children make sense of the world, provides context and clarity to complex issues, improves general knowledge and encourages discussion and debate.
To find out more about The Week Junior and to download its free resources, please go to schools.theweekjunior.co.uk.