Collins has a site they call the Word Exchange:
Is there a word or phrase you would love to see in the dictionary?A nice idea, and I've already learned the word galactico. Posted by languagehat at December 17, 2004 02:11 PMWell, now's your chance as Collins Word Exchange revolutionises the way words are collected and enter the dictionary - throwing open the doors of language research and recording to embrace words from anybody and everybody!
At Collins Word Exchange not only can you search... the Collins English Dictionary, texting abbreviations, internet links and SCRABBLE® scores, access a wealth of advice on grammar and usage, and test your language skills, but you can also add your own words to the dictionary.
It couldn't be easier to get your new words online - just register on the site, suggest a word for inclusion, enjoy the discussion as other users battle over its validity, and wait for your word to be added to the Living Dictionary. You'll be contributing to a fantastic and ever-growing online resource and may even see your word entering the next edition of the Collins English Dictionary.
I, for one, will be very interested in following the evolution of the word "galactico". Will it be used for other teams who, in the future, might buy a similarly impressive array of supposedly world-class footballers? Or will it become a synonym for "under-achieving overpaid divas" (Real Madrid haven't been particularly stellar in the Spanish Liga)?
Posted by: céline at December 18, 2004 05:41 AMhas anyone added eggcorn yet?
Posted by: Claire at December 18, 2004 12:31 PMSpeaking as a foopball fan of some months' standing, my understanding is that galáctico is very much still a Real Madrid thing. It is perceived and used as a Spanish word, although often ironically.
Posted by: des von bladet at December 20, 2004 05:28 AMAfrican English as spoken in South Africa often comes up with some very useful and lively expressions. One that I've heard several times, but never seen in print is the verb gunpoint, as in:
"He came up to my car window, gunpointed me, and told me to get out and surrender my keys."
It's economical, instantly comprehensible, and graphic - better than: "pointed a gun at me..."
That is a useful verb, and it's not in the OED -- if you ever see it in print, tell them about it!
Posted by: language hat at January 17, 2005 09:06 AM'Banjaxed' as mentioned on BBC Breakfast show is NOT a new word. It has been in use for at least 35 years as a slang word for surprised or thwarted as in 'When I was suddenly told I was out of a job I was Banjaxed' (Poss. Irish origin)
Posted by: Richard Bond at February 1, 2005 04:09 AMThe Cassell Dictionary of Slang says:
banjax v. [1930s+] to batter, to destroy, to ruin, to get in the way of. [usu. in Irish use; f. ? Dublin sl.]
banjaxed adj. [1930s+] broken, ruined, smashed up. [BANJAX]
Interesting word; I wasn't familiar with it.
Posted by: language hat at February 1, 2005 07:50 AMi cant find the word 'discluded' in any dictionarys and i've heard it and used it. so, i did a google search(just typing in the word 'discluded') and its used alot.it means-included. it also may have other meanings, cause i noticed that even doctors used it too, like the 'discluded tooth', or one bone discluded from another. words are fun. thanks for listening. prbudd
Posted by: prbudd at March 24, 2005 11:27 PMi did a boo-boo. i said 'discluded' means 'included' i meant to say , 'discluded' means 'excluded'. thankyou.
Posted by: prbudd at March 24, 2005 11:37 PMInteresting -- it gets 3,800 Google hits, not many but enough to make it clear some people use it as if it were a word. I guess if enough people pick it up it will eventually be in the dictionaries. What's odd is that there's a perfectly good word already at hand. Since you use it yourself, let me ask you: do you use it in preference to "exclude," or did you learn it instead of "exclude"?
Posted by: language hat at March 25, 2005 08:05 AMcan you please help me. ihave tried too get your texying dictionary bt all the shops---mainly easons dont have it
i,m an oap disabled and wonder if u have it in your gift to send me a complimentary copy, for which i would thank u very sincrly for this pocket edition--jim murdock, 46 annagora rd., portadown, bt62 4je n.ireland uk.