You already know what they mean. Now the dictionary can back you up.
Oxford Dictionaries Online released its monthly list of new additions, and May’s list has taken a major page out of the social media handbook.
The dictionary writes, “The world of computers and social networking continues to be a major influence on the English language,” so they’ve taken to including some of the most-used terms on the Web, including mashup terms like eco-chic and Twittersphere. Highlighting our short and snappy tendencies online, the dictionary recognized the importance of pseudo-abbreviations like newb (short for newbie) and lappy (your laptop, of course), as well as actual abbreviations like NSFW (Not Safe for Work) and ZOMG (OMG with a bit more enthusiasm).
(MORE: When Politicians Become Slang Terms)
If you’re questioning the usefulness of some of those words, fear not – the Oxford folks also added words that have real technical merit, including infographic and permalink. You can now unfollow someone on Twitter because they were oversharing, knowing that your actions are sanctioned, at the very least, by the Oxford Dictionaries Online.
It’s no Queen’s English, but with the proliferation of these terms in our daily lives, the real surprise here is why these weren’t official words before now.