Published On: 09.12.22 | 

By: 44210

ICYMI, here are some of the 370 words added to the 2022 dictionary, FWIW

Finger pointing to word in dictionary

There are 370 new words in Merriam-Webster's dictionary. (Getty Images)

About once a year, Merriam-Webster adds new words to the dictionary. This September, 370 made it in.

Some are related to popular food trends like pumpkin spice, oat milk or omakase, which means chef’s choice – typically in a sushi setting. Others are acronyms frequently used across social media, such as FWIW (for what it’s worth) and ICYMI (in case you missed it.)

But among the list, one theme stands out: the number of words reflecting the economic uncertainty and post-pandemic anxieties that have recently crept into popular use. Here are just a few as Webster defines them.

shrinkflation: the practice of reducing a product’s amount or volume per unit while continuing to offer it at the same price.

side hustle: work performed for income supplementary to one’s primary job.

supply chain: the chain of processes, businesses, etc. by which a commodity is produced and distributed; the companies, materials and systems involved in manufacturing and delivering goods.

subvariant: one of two or more distinctive forms or types of the same variant.

Newer buzzwords in finance and tech also made the list:

metaverse: a persistent virtual environment that allows access to and interoperability of multiple individual virtual realities.

altcoin: any of various cryptocurrencies that are regarded as alternatives to established cryptocurrencies and especially to bitcoin.

(With assistance from Daniela Sirtori-Cortina.)