Consider this your friendly warning: Expect some sass and perhaps a touch of shade ahead. If that’s not your vibe, feel free to exit stage left!
For those of you still here, let me introduce you to the treasure trove of wit that is the social media presence of Merriam-Webster, the cheekiest dictionary on the internet. Yes, dictionaries are still relevant! Having been around for over 150 years and online since 1996, Merriam-Webster has recently become an internet sensation. They’ve shattered the notion that educational content must be boring and lifeless. Their Twitter feed is not just informative; it’s also hilarious, timely, and just irreverent enough to keep followers saying, “Whoa!” as they deftly challenge poor word usage. We’re all in for that, especially when we’re tired of needing a meme at the ready for any conversation lately.
While we have the entire world of information accessible at our fingertips 24/7, many still hesitate to use that knowledge. Why is that? Let’s rally behind the movement to #MakeAmericaSmartAgain, shall we? And guess what? One dictionary responded from the depths of Twitter, “Absolutely, we can!”
Leading this charge, and truly giving me life, is the social media manager at Merriam-Webster, Alex Parker, who emphasizes they’re not straying from their core mission. Since 2010, they’ve been running a feature called Trend Watch, which highlights the most searched words daily. They utilize this data to create blog posts and publish definitions for trending terms.
Recently, many of these trending words have had political undertones, but Merriam-Webster underscores that their entries are merely a reflection of what people are searching for, devoid of any political bias. “We’ve always done interesting things, and we’re not about politics, so I hope people don’t come here expecting that,” Alex explains.
“When search interest spikes for a word related to current events, we share that trend along with extra information about its meaning and usage,” they add. It’s essential to note that Alex is not working solo; they stress that the social media content is a collaborative effort among a talented team. “We’re fortunate to have so many smart, funny, and passionate individuals on board.”
When asked about accusations of political trolling or sniping, Merriam-Webster clarifies their role: they report on lookup trends, period. “Trend Watch is not new, and it’s not political. We simply report when searches surge, which can happen for various reasons.”
In essence, they’re just fulfilling their role—so chill out and maybe pick up a dictionary! As long as people continue to misuse terms like “irregardless” and “alternative facts,” I’ll welcome all the shade Merriam-Webster throws, as long as they keep enlightening us with a side of sass.
You can (and definitely should) follow Merriam-Webster on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all your word-related needs. And if you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this comprehensive guide on artificial insemination kits. For more information on accessible healthcare, visit Intracervical Insemination. For an excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination, explore this Healthline article.
In summary, Merriam-Webster’s social media presence is a refreshing blend of humor and education, challenging users to engage with language while fostering a sense of community around wordplay.