Mx and ‘manspreading’ added to Oxford Dictionary
The words are among the latest list to enter into the revered publication.
The free online dictionary – created by the publishers of the esteemed Oxford English Dictionary – added the words during its quarterly update today (August 27).
The list featured a host of new words that have garnered widespread usage in the English language.
The title Mx is a gender-neutral alternative to Mr and Ms, which has grown in use and popularity – with MPs being sworn into the House of Commons given the option of the gender neutral title for the first time after May’s election.
It is one of a number of gender neutral honourifics, such as Dr. and Rev. – but is intended for general use instead of specific to a profession.
Mx is defined in the dictionary as “n: a title used before a person’s surname by those who wish to avoid specifying their gender.”
Manspreading, on the other hand (or should that be crotch?) is a term coined by frequenters of public transport, referring to men who “splay their legs wide apart, encroaching on neighbouring seats”.
Other contemporary entrants include the politically inspired “Brexit” – “a term for the hypothetical departure of the United Kingdom’s from the 28-nation European Union” – and beer o’clock – which is pretty self-explanatory.
Just don’t make us “hangry” – or we might just “rage-quit” and head to a “cat-cafe”.
