Oh, my God! OMG now in dictionary

A few years ago I was hit with the change from “Web site” to “website” — adopted officialy by the Associated Press. Until then, I had dutifully edited all documents that crossed by desk, making the appropriate changes.

Recently, AP announced that “e-mail” is now “email” — which will delight many. I know, some of us had been ignoring the AP on this one and writing “email” regardless of their style guide.

These changes I understand, even applaud. Adding OMG, FYI, and LOL to the dictionary, however, makes me pause. The Oxford English Dictionary calls these words “initialisms” (according to PR Daily).

There’s a part of me that rebels, and doesn’t want to see these in the dictionary. But language is fluid, and every year new words are added, or changes to descriptions are made.

I wonder if LMAO is in there already? Or maybe in the next batch?

Sources:

• Big change in AP style announced: E-mail is now email | PR Daily
• ‘OMG’ and ‘LOL’ added to dictionary | PR Daily