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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Ella Creamer

‘Wokery’, ‘safe word’ and ‘forever chemical’ added to the Oxford English Dictionary

the Oxford English Dictionary Anton Chekhov OED Environment
Man reading a copy of the Oxford Dictionary of English.
‘Hypnic jerk’ has been added to the OED. Photograph: Ian Nicholson/PA

“Wokery”, “safe word”, “forever chemical” and “swear box” have all been added to the Oxford English Dictionary in its latest update.

The OED is updated quarterly with new words, senses and revisions to entries, to reflect changes in word usage and to include new terms relating to current events and trends. The December 2023 update, announced on Thursday, features new words related to technology, polluting chemicals, politics, literature and sex.

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