For a new word to make it into the dictionary, Adam Gorlick [1] argues that it has to be more than a “flash-in-the-pan” fad. The word needs staying power to get in. Many word inclusions result from new classifications that emerge as a consequence of globalization and reflect changing usage. For instance, in July 2008, the word “Prosecco” was included in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate dictionary to mean sparkling Italian wine”. While this was encouraged by marketers seeking to promote it, the inclusion has not been without controversy. Many argue that the inclusion of the word as a synonym for sparkling wine would create confusion about its identity. How is Prosecco different from Champagne except for the fact that it is from Conegliano Valdobbiane in Italy?

Another popular debate involves the inclusion of the word “Pescatarian” to mean a “vegetarian who eats fish”. Referred to as the “Great Fish Debate”, many argue the definition as being an oxymoron that challenges the notions of a simple vegetarian like myself who has all her life known a vegetarian diet to not involve any kind of animal flesh! And now, they tell you can eat fish and still be a vegetarian.. It will not be long before classifications like lacto-vegetarianism, ova-vegetarianism, asian-vegetarianism to make their way into the dictionary.

In this background, it becomes reasonable to ask – what is the impact of such new classifications on every day language use? Do they serve as new dimensions to an existing concept and beliefs or do they simply add ambiguity to it? What is the basis of such classifications and how do they evolve with new discoveries? Does the etymology of these terms reflect changing perceptions of parent terms- for example, does the emergence of Pescatarian reflect openness among vegetarians to expand food options or is it simply a market driven branding technique for fish lovers!

[1] http://www.boston.com/news /local/ massachusetts/articles/2006/07/05/mouse_potato_needing_ bling_check_merriam_websters_ new_entries/

[2] http://www.blogdolcevita.com/post/633/italian-wine-the-word-prosecco-included-in-merriam-websters-collegiate-dictionary

[3] http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2008/07/mirriam_webster.phps

Related to Lectures:

3. Information Organization and Retrieval

5. Information Categories

8. Classification