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Getting L33t Into the Oxford English Dictionary

arcticstoat writes "A few net-speak acronyms such as LOL and OMG were entered to the Oxford English Dictionary last month, but could we ever see l33t-speak (complete with numbers) or ROFLcopters in the OED? In this interview with OED principal editor Graeme Diamond, he reveals the selection criteria for new words and discusses the potential for words such as 'l33t' to get into the dictionary. 'L33t is obviously a respelling and a contraction [of elite],' says Diamond, 'so it would be a separate entry, and yes it is familiar to me, so I think it's something we would consider for inclusion.'"

3 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. Allow me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny


    l33t

    Pronunciation: /e'lE:t/

    1.Superior.
    eg "Gibb0r m3 j00r l33t ju4r3z!"

  2. Re:Oh dear God, no. NO. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    I was going to agree with you but then realized your username could be written as 70lk13n and calmed down.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  3. Etymology by brian0918 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Here is the first known use of the term:

    Rychard Byschape in his stede Chosyn he wes concorditer And l33t twa yhere bad eftyr.

    -- Andrew of Wyntoun, Ðe orygynale cronykil of Scotland c1425