“Embiggen” from ‘The Simpsons’- newest edition to Merriam Webster

By Ananya Ananthkrishnan

One of the 850 new words and phrases being added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary is the word ‘embiggen’ from popular American sitcom “The Simpsons”. The word was first uttered more than 20 years back, in the 1996 Simpson’s episode “Lisa the Iconoclast”, to be specific. Students of Springfield Elementary School are informed in a scene that the town’s motto is “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man”, where the word is taken to mean “to make bigger or more expansive’, according to the dictionary’s definition. A teacher, Edna Krabappel mentions that she’s never heard the word before, to which another teacher Elizabeth Hoover says, “I don’t know why. It’s a perfectly cromulent word.” Cromulent, though used in the same dialogue has apparently not been deemed fit to be included in the dictionary.

How the word came to be?

The notable thing here, perhaps, is that the show’s writers managed to include two sensible-sounding nonsense words in a single dialogue. The inclusion of both these words in the episode is supposedly the result of a dare. The showrunners apparently challenged the writers to include two realistic gibberish words in the script, and they succeeded spectacularly. Both words became popular among Simpsons fans, but the word ‘embiggen’ became popular elsewhere, too. Due to its structural similarity to existing words like “embolden” and “enlighten”, it doesn’t really come off as a fake word and has popped up in a lot of print. Even science journals have seen fit to use the word, not to mention the popular comic “Ms Marvel”.

Embiggen is not the only quirky word to have graced the pages of this dictionary in its new edition. Other words like ‘wordie’, meaning ‘a lover of words’, ‘mansplain’ which means ‘to explain something to a woman in a condescending way that assumes she has no knowledge about the topic’ and ‘glamping’, meaning ‘outdoor camping with amenities and comforts not usually used when camping’ are now part of the dictionary (Note: The above meanings have been taken directly from the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary). Phrases like ‘dumpster fire’ (an utterly calamitous or mismanaged occurrence) and ‘life hack’ (a usually simple and clever tip or technique for accomplishing some familiar task more easily and efficiently) have also made the cut. Surprisingly enough, popular words in the technical world like ‘blockchain’ and ‘cryptocurrency’ are also new additions. Other surprising additions include compound words like “Case-Sensitive” and “dark chocolate” which have been around for so long now that one can only wonder why they were not added before.

For most hardcore believers in “proper” English language, the addition of this nonsensical word is likely to be an annoyance. However, according to Emily Brewster, associate editor of Merriam-Webster, a word earns its place in a dictionary based on its popularity and sustained usage. She said in a statement to Business Insider, “ In order for a word to be added to the dictionary it must have a widespread, sustained, and meaningful use. These new words have been added to the dictionary because they have become established members of the English language, and are terms people are likely to encounter.” In other words, it seems that for a word to become official, it needs to be socially acceptable and popular, or it needs to be “cromulent”. Those who are upset that the word used along with “embiggen” somehow didn’t make the cut can take comfort in the fact that it appears in Oxford Dictionary’s online version, defined as ‘acceptable or adequate’.

Are we witnessing new adaptation in the English language?

Considering the current pace of development and technology, it’s only appropriate that language adapts accordingly. “Embiggen” may be a quirky, nonsense word used in everyday life without actually existing in the official sense, but words like “blockchain” and “cryptocurrency” have been in use for a while now. Technical lingo or not, these words are popular even among the masses because of the increasing popularity of the technology. Thus, it comes as quite a shocker that even these words were not really “official” until now. This goes to show that if a word is popular enough, it doesn’t necessarily need to have a dictionary meaning to be considered appropriate. Quirky words like “embiggen” and “mansplain” are just some words that have become such a common part of life that they, too deserve a place in a dictionary.

Many others in the line as well?

That said, it’s a bit surprising and even disappointing that words from other shows or comics haven’t earned their place in the dictionary yet. Words like “friend-zone”, first used in the ever-popular show “FRIENDS”, or “muppet”, which appeared first on “The Muppet Show” but went on to become a household word, have not made the cut despite their popularity. In fact, the word “friend-zone” first appeared in FRIENDS Season 1 in 1994, nearly two years before the word “embiggen”, though it has only recently become popular. This brings us to the question of why a silly word from The Simpsons has made its way into the dictionary while other equally popular words seem to have been left behind.

The explanation for this is likely to be found in the American culture and how big a part this sitcom plays in it. “The Simpsons” is currently in its 29^th season, having released 629 episodes till date, making it the “longest-running American sitcom” and also the “longest-running American animated program”. In fact, 29 seasons of any other show would probably have bored everyone out of their minds, but somehow, this one is still going strong. From somewhat creepily making accurate predictions about what lay in store for America in the future like the Donald Trump Presidency, to comically depicting American culture and society, this sitcom is often bang-on. The show has come a long way since its inception in 1989 and has gradually managed to become an integral part of American culture and family life. Phrases used in the show are often imitated because they’re so catchy, and the same goes with its various made-up words.

As any Simpsons fan would say, it’s a perfectly cromulent addition to the dictionary, or it was about time. After all, we are the ones who made up the English language in the first place, so it makes sense that words are added over time as we come up with them.