Updated: May 16, 2017
Originally Published: May 16, 2017
Consider this your friendly heads-up: Expect some sass and maybe a little shade ahead. Also, we’ll touch on politics. If that’s not your vibe, you might want to exit stage left.
For those sticking around, let’s dive into the delightful world of the most entertaining social media account you didn’t know you needed: the dictionary. Yes, dictionaries are still a thing! Merriam-Webster has been a trusted source for over 150 years, going online in 1996. But it’s their vibrant social media presence that’s turned them into internet royalty. Breaking the stereotype that educational content must be dull, M-W’s Twitter feed is not just informative—it’s also witty, timely, and just the right amount of cheeky, leaving followers consistently saying, “Whoa!” as they deliver well-deserved critiques of improper word usage. And honestly, who can’t relate? We’ve all had those conversations where this meme is just waiting to be pulled out.
In a world where the internet is always at our fingertips, it’s baffling that some folks still hesitate to utilize that wealth of information. Let’s work together to #MakeAmericaSmartAgain, shall we? We reached out, and from the depths of Twitter, one dictionary responded, “Absolutely!”
Leading the charge is Merriam-Webster’s social media manager, Mia Thompson, who maintains that their approach isn’t radically different from what they’ve always done. Since 2010, they’ve been running a feature called Trend Watch, gathering daily data on the most searched words to inform their blog entries and definitions of trending vocabulary. Recently, the focus has leaned towards political terms, but M-W assures that these trends reflect public interest, not any political bias.
“We’ve been doing fascinating things for a while now, and we’re not political. I hope people won’t just stick around to be disappointed,” Mia explains. “When we notice a surge in lookups for a word, often due to a particular event, we share that trend along with some context on the word’s meaning and usage.”
And while Mia may be the face of this effort, she is quick to credit her team, emphasizing, “It’s truly a collaborative effort. We’re fortunate to work with so many intelligent, witty, and passionate individuals.”
When it comes to claims of political trolling, M-W stands firm: they report trends based on what users are searching for, nothing more. “Trend Watch is not new, nor is it political. We simply report when lookups spike for various reasons,” they clarify.
In simpler terms: they’re just doing their job. So, let’s leave them be and pick up a dictionary instead. Boom!
Personally, as long as people continue to misuse “irregardless” and “alternate facts,” I’m all for Merriam-Webster throwing some shade and keeping the educational sass coming. Follow Merriam-Webster on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all your word-related needs.
This article was originally published on May 16, 2017.
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Summary
Merriam-Webster has transformed its social media presence into a lively and humorous platform, making the dictionary a beloved source of knowledge online. Their Trend Watch feature tracks popular word searches, allowing them to provide timely and relevant content without any political bias. With their team effort, they continue to educate and entertain, making language fun and accessible.