English changes reflected in 'chillax'

BANGOR, Wales, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A Welsh linguistics professor's list of 100 words representing changes to the English language included "Watergate," "chillax," "LOL" and "dude."

David Crystal, honorary professor of linguistics at the University of Wales, Bangor, said the words he chose for his list represent changes made to the English language since medieval times, The Daily Telegraph reported Monday.

Crystal's list includes "mead," "street" and "lea" to represent the Anglo Saxon period and "pork," "royal" and "dame" for the medieval period.

The period between Shakespeare and the King James Bible is represented by "alphabet," "dialect," "shibboleth" and "potato."

The professor represented the modern age with "Watergate," referencing the scandal that ended U.S. President Richard Nixon's presidency; text messaging abbreviation "LOL;" slang term "dude;" and "chillax," a combination of the words "chill" and "relax."