Blairite and Jedi enter dictionary

The Star Wars trilogy has had an influence on language

Science fiction terms have become official language with the inclusion of Jedi, Klingon and Tardis in the latest edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.

Also getting a mention is Blairite, the term used for supporters of prime minister Tony Blair.

The terms are among some 3,500 extra words which have been included in the dictionary which is published on Thursday by Oxford University Press.

The Millennium Dome: Not forgotten

The tome replaces the last version - which was published nearly 10 years ago in 1993.

In the intervening years such phrases as ladette, singleton and shedload have become so commonplace as to elevate their status from pure slang.

Bed-blocking

And sci-fi films such as Star Wars and Men In Black have made a case for the inclusion of a "shedload" of space-based words.

These include Klingon, Warp Drive, Dilithium and parallel universe.

In the fast-moving world of politics, many new 21st century phrases have made it to the edition.

The world is now very familiar with asylum seeker, bed-blocking, just war and name and shame which now find a place among the pages.

Some of the new entries in the SOED

The dark side

Sizeism

Chick flick

Gateway drug

Essex Man

Bunny boiler

Clause Four

Get real

economic migrant

There is even a place in the 4,000-page dictionary for the ill-fated Millennium Dome, ensuring that the name will not just be confined to history.

Angus Stevenson, co-editor of the shorter Oxford English Dictionary said politics and current affairs provide "fertile subjects" for today's dictionary.

But he added: "We include words that achieve a certain level of usage whatever their origins, making sure that slang terms are clearly identified."

Practical joke

And some may well merit an explanation.

In particular the word wedgie which, according to Thursday's edition of the Independent, denotes the action of pulling up the material of someone's underwear tightly between their buttocks, as a practical joke.

To be included in the dictionary words must have been used five times, in five different sources over five years.

The edition is described as the most comprehensive dictionary of current English and its history from 1000AD to the present day.

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What new words do you think the dictionary should include and why? Send us your suggestions using the form below.

Has scratchcard or cowabunga been put in?
Nicky G, England

EDDRESS... because typing "e-mail address" is long and it makes sense to have this added.
Ann, Barbados

How about "Going on fire", meaning going horribly wrong? From the comedy series The Fast Show. 'Tis a common phrase round our way.
Maz, Sydney

I'm sure the phrase "'Ave it!" will make it into the next SOED. It should do!
Mark B, UK

How would you like it if the Americans put out an authoritative dictionary on the English language that included terms such as bong hit, gnarly dude, and going postal?! If I were a professor of English at the moment, I would be gravely concerned about what the Brits are doing to our once respectable language!
Quinn Haber, USA

Pishposh, JT, old chap! How dare they evolve language? I say we do better, guv'nor, and switch to good, old fashioned Latin, by Jove!
Bob MG, USA

The new term 'innit', my young sister uses this term constantly amongst her friends often followed by 'man'.
David Porter, UK

I think the commonly used university terms of 'minging' (ie disgusting) and 'pants' (ie oh no!) should make it in.
Diane, UK

Include more widely used slang derived from Cockney slang, for example 'butchers' as in 'take a butchers' for take a look. My impression is it's become more widely used, though perhaps not in print, and must be absolutely inpenetrable to many people.
William Hird, UK

I believe the LOL (laughing out loud) internet term often used on the net should be put into the dictionary. It has become so common I see people using it in school papers even.
Danny, USA

Danny, LOL stands for lots of love.
Clark, Australia

This looks like Roger Mellie's Profanisaurus from Viz: quality! Let's drag the English language into the gutter, it makes me look so articulate!
JT, UK

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