US dictionary adds 1,400 words, including neckbeard, trash panda and cuffing season

Merriam-Webster, America's oldest dictionary publisher, has expanded its lexicon by 1,400 new words. Among these additions are "neckbeard," a term describing a beard covering the chin and throat, often associated with a certain cultural subculture, and "trash panda," the affectionate nickname given to raccoons. The publisher explained that these new entries reflect common usage patterns over time, giving insight into contemporary culture.

Other novel terms include culinary-inspired words such as "superfood," referring to nutrient-rich foods, "bao," a stuffed bread bun popular in Asia, and "cake pop," a dessert consisting of cake and icing on a lollipop stick. As autumn approaches, "cuffing season" has been added to the dictionary. This term describes the period when single individuals seek romantic partners to spend the colder months with.

Some terms, like "whack-a-mole," are familiar to many, describing a situation where a new problem arises shortly after an existing one is resolved. Others, such as "Mandela effect," which refers to the shared false memory experienced by many, may be less well-known.

Distinctly American terms include "California sober," which describes using marijuana and/or alcohol while abstaining from other drugs. The dictionary also features less common entries like "Rickroll," the act of tricking someone into watching a Rick Astley music video, and "uncanny valley," a term for the eerie sensation experienced when encountering something artificial that almost appears real.

Other added words include "parasocial," a one-sided emotional connection, "vibe coding," using AI to generate computer code, "chili crisp," a spicy condiment, "yacht rock," a soft rock genre from the 1970s, and "crashout," a dramatic loss or defeat.