New Oxford Dictionary Contains Retweet, Sexting and Cyberbullying

A host of new words have been added into the new edition of Concise Oxford English Dictionary for the first time including retweet, sexting and cyberbullying. But its new centenary edition includes a copy of the 1911 version, which shows Britons thought the words neon, petticoat, and 'indecent dance' the Cancan all deserved similar recognition.

The brand-new dictionary contains more than 240,000 words, phrases and definitions, reflecting language used widely in the UK today.

Retweet - to repost or forward a message on Twitter, sexting - the sending of sexually explicit photographs or messages via a mobile phone, and woot - used in electronic communication to express elation enthusiasm or triumph, all make the book.

Also fashionable Jeggings - tight-fitting stretch trousers for women and the mankini - a brief one-piece bathing garment for men with a T-back, made famous by comedy character Borat, are in.

But the 1911 limited-edition dictionary included with its 2011 counterpart, offers a glimpse into a world where exciting new words included "marconigram" - a message sent by Marconi's wireless telegraphy system; 'kinematograph' - an apparatus producing motion pictures; and 'biplane' - a two-winged aeroplane.

"The 1911 dictionary was a lot smaller than the latest version and is phrased more quaintly in some places, but my overriding impression of it is how good it was," the Daily Mail quoted Angus Stevenson, an editor of the 12th edition of the dictionary, as saying.

While the 1911 edition cost 3 shillings 6 pence, had 1,041 pages and included 38,000 words, the 2011 edition costs 25 pounds, had 1,682 pages and includes 66,500 words.

Source-ANI