Day 82 - Word Up

You have to love Webster's Dictionary (and not just because it's named after the classic sitcom character). Every year they add new words to the dictionary so that it keeps up with our ever evolving language. Fo' shizzle! So what gems did they introduce almost 30 years ago in 1978?
(All these words were really added in 1978. Honest.)


longneck (noun) - beer served in a bottle that has a long neck

Thanks Webster's! I would never have guessed that a bottle with a long neck was called a longneck! You have done society a great service.


brewski (noun- slang) - beer

As in "I ski, you ski, we all ski for brewski". All right, no one in Australia uses this word - if they do, they have been watching way, way, way too much US television. Even more than me!


shootaround (noun) - a usually informal basketball practice session

Really? I've never ever heard this word before. Don't use it, though. I think if you went around asking people if they were interested in a shootaround you may be quickly picked up by the police.


tweener (noun) - a player who has some but not all of the necessary characteristics for each of two or more positions (as in football or basketball)

Also, Tweener was the name of one of the characters from Prison Break, Series One (and part of Series Two). Way to go, Tweener, you're in the dictionary. Now all we need is a dictionary definition for Scofield (noun) - to be the modern incarnation of MacGuyver. (I apologise to all non-Prison Break watchers who won't get this. Look, Scofield is like MacGuyver - watch the show).


gimme cap (noun) - an adjustable visored cap that often features corporate logo or slogan

What rot. Now they're just making stuff up.


lookism (noun) : prejudice or discrimination based on physical appearance and especially physical appearance believed to fall short of societal notions of beauty

I knew it! I knew this kind of prejudice existed. See you at the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, modelling agencies of Melbourne! Reject my portfolio will you?!? Here's a sample:


And now for a word that should be in the dictionary, but isn't. Please use it as much as possible:


nigglies (noun): that feeling you get just before you go to see a movie or sit an exam that you need to go to the bathroom.