I love words. One thing that has always tickled my brain about words is how and why some make it into the Dictionary and others remain in literary limbo. My sophmore year of college I tried to make up a new word and spread it around (it was such an awesome word that I can’t for the life me remember what it was). I wanted to see how far my word invention could get. Then I began to worry that my word would become popular and I wouldn’t ever get credit for its creation. However the hope (or fear) of me giving birth to a brand new English word quickly faded when everytime I used my new word, my roommate would tell the person I was talking to, that my word wasn’t a real word. (Thanks a lot Heather!)

While my easy-to-forget word didn’t ever make it past my dorm room, the word “Meh” recently got a spot in the Collins English Dictionary. That’s right “meh.” The dictionary defines “meh” as an expression of indifference or boredom, or an adjective meaning mediocre or boring. The word had been chosen from terms suggested by the public for inclusion in the dictionary’s 30th anniversary edition, which will be released in 2009.

The origins of “meh” are uncertain, however the term gained recognition after being used on “The Simpsons” in an episode where Homer suggests a day trip to his children Bart and Lisa and they reply “meh” and keep watching TV.

Personally I find “meh” to be a meh word. It’s not a pretty word. It feels like more of a sound made while snoring or something. But hey, congrats to the maker of “meh” wherever you are.

The folks at The Collins English Dictionary aren’t just spending their days influencing our speech, they also takepart and support the UK’s I CAN-children’s communication charity by offering word lovers the opportunity to “adopt” a word for as little as £20. Money raised through the adopt a word program will go directly to I CAN which works to support the development of speech, language and communication skills in all children with a special focus on those who find this hard: children with speech, language and communication needs.

Visit www.adoptaword.com to takepart adopt your word. You’ll receive a gift pack containing an official certificate, ‘after care’ booklet, bookmark, and you’ll make a difference in the educational life of a child.