Legal Writing

A dictionary's new entries

By Pam_Nelson

The annual update of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary includes about 100 new words, according to Merriam-Webster Online. The print version of the dictionary will be out in September.

I am a bit late with this news. The Web site asked for reader submissions of their own favorite "mondegreen," which is a word or phrase that results from mishearing something said or sung.

One of my favorites was from church. When I was a child and the congregation sang The Doxology ("Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow") I always heard "Praise him all preachers here below." Makes sense, right? The real words, of course, are "Praise him all creatures here below."

Other new entries in Merriam-Webster's dictionary are "webinar" (an live online educational presentation) and "pescatarian" (a vegetatarian whose diet includes fish).

Post your favorite mondegreen in the comments.

Full post as published by Triangle Grammar Guide on August 04, 2008 (boomark / email).