• FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    So.

    Hypothetically.

    If start using “squiggy” to mean “the excited tremors or shaking puppies, kittens and small kids do when they are very excited”….

    Is that enough? Or do I need to get my nephew in on it?

    • pyre@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      for you, it’s enough; for a dictionary, that’s their decision. dictionary is not a law book. it’s not a religious book either. it is not ordained by god. it’s just a report of what words the speakers of a language use. which words are included or not are arbitrary and editorial decisions. what do you think makes the “cut” in a small pocket dictionary with 2000 words vs a bigger dictionary with 10,000 words? do you think once you publish the pocket dictionary, 8000 words stop being legit?