'Credit crunch' debuts in dictionary

Updated 08.26 Thu Aug 14 2008

Keywords: Chambers, wardrobe malfunction, food miles, Credit crunch, dictionary

The words credit crunch, food miles and wardrobe malfunction have made it into The Chambers Dictionary.

Dictionary editor in chief Mary O'Neill said: "The new words we added to this 11th edition of The Chambers Dictionary paint a vivid picture of current interests and concerns."

"The new words we added to this 11th edition of The Chambers Dictionary paint a vivid picture of current interests and concerns" - Mary O'Neill

Several words referring to the environment such as carbon footprint, green tax, electrosmog (electro magnetic fields emitted by computers and mobile phones) and eco-village debut in the 11th edition of the book.

The war on terror also provides the words blue-on-blue, extraordinary rendition and watch list.

Blu-ray, quantum computer (a computer that makes use of quantum mechanics), and metamaterial (an artificially-created material having properties not found in nature) make it from the worlds of science and technology.

Wags, fashion-forward, nail bars and social networking also debut in the revised edition.

Pad thai, comfort food, and dashi (a clear stock flavoured with kelp) also appear.