Merriam-Webster dictionary gets thicker

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 12 (UPI) -- It might make a "ginormous" difference only to language purists but the U.S. publisher Merriam-Webster has added about 100 words to its Collegiate Dictionary.

"Ginormous" is a word meaning humongous that made it into the 11th edition of the dictionary printed by the Massachusetts publisher.

Merriam-Webster updates its Collegiate Dictionary every year with a number of new words, senses, and variants.

The company said on its Web site that ginormous "has undeniably proven its true staying power." The company added that many others will be "closely watched" by its editors for future revisions.

A few others that made this year's version are "crunk," a noun meaning a style of Southern rap music featuring repetitive chants and rapid dance rhythms; "smackdown," a noun meaning the act of knocking down or bringing down an opponent; "speed dating," an event at which each participant converses individually with all the prospective partners for a few minutes in order to select those with whom dates are desired; and "sudoku," a popular Japanese numbers puzzle.