Around 500 new words and phrases have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary in the tome’s quarterly update, including several that provide an insight into 21st century hobbies, such as ‘sexting’, ‘photobombing’, ‘vaping’ and ‘crowdfunding’.
Other gems included in the latest version of the dictionary are the words ‘meh’ and ‘twerk’, as well as more complex ones like ‘Enviropig’ — the trademark for a genetically modified line of Yorkshire pigs with enhanced digestive capabilities — and ‘pharmacovigilance’, which denotes the practice of monitoring the effects of drugs after they have been licensed for use.
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It’s going to take two weeks to upload, and the table of contents will be 91 volumes alone, but Michael Mandiberg is determined to bring the project he tells the New York Times is “half utilitarian data visualization project, half absurdist poetic gesture” to fruition. That project: to transform the English-language version of Wikipedia into a 7,600-volume book set.
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Two months after the initial launch of the Apple Watch, and only a day following the device’s debut at Apple Stores, sources have revealed Apple’s considerations for the 2016 release of a second-generation model. According to multiple sources familiar with Apple’s plans, the Apple Watch 2 is planned to gain a video camera, a new wireless system for greater iPhone independence, and new premium-priced models. Interestingly, it will also feature similar battery life to its predecessor…
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Looking to pick up a few dollars while making your way around town? Then Amazon’s latest attempt to quickly and cheaply deliver packages might be right up your alley, that is if the consumer-turned-courier program comes to fruition.
The Wall Street Journal, citing people close to the matter, reports that the online retailer is working on a mobile app that would essentially allow any regular ol’ Joe to multitask by delivering packages to customers while out-and-about.
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San Francisco’s Candlestick Park is nearly gone. Only a few sections of the 55-year-old stadium remain standing as a months-long demolition is underway, making room for a new mall and housing units. Candlestick was designed to house the New York Giants who moved to San Francisco in 1958. It was America’s first modern stadium, built entirely of reinforced concrete, with seating for 43,500 and parking for 10,000.
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A man who discovered his Ryanair flight ticket had been booked under the wrong surname has claimed it was cheaper for him to change his name by deed poll and buy a new passport than pay the admin fee to have the error corrected.
Adam West (nee Armstrong), 19, had a flight to Ibiza booked for him by his girlfriend’s stepdad, according to The Sun. The name on the booking turned out to be incorrect, however, as her stepdad used the surname Adam had given himself on Facebook, which, being a fan of Batman, was “West”.
When Adam realised the mistake he calculated it would cost him £220 to get his actual surname, which was Armstrong, added to the ticket. Instead, he opted to change his surname to West, via deed poll, a service which is free. He then ordered himself a new passport to reflect the name change, which cost him £103.
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