Merriam-Webster added 850 words to the dictionary on Monday including “cryptocurrency,” “blockchain,” “glamping,” “dumpster fire,” “mansplain,” and “embiggen” on Monday. You are probably familiar with the first five words, but you might not be familiar with the word “embiggen” unless you are a Simpsons fan. That is because it is a made-up word from a 22-year-old Simpsons episode.
Also, 'embiggen' is now a word we enter. https://t.co/3XmkZO0ral pic.twitter.com/wLUDsWIAga
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) March 5, 2018
The fake word first appeared on February 18, 1996, during The Simpsons seventh season in the episode titled “Lisa the Iconoclast.” The children are watching an educational video of the first settlers of Springfield and how Young Jebediah Springfield founded the city. “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man,” Jebediah proclaims as he founds the city.
