‘Twerk’, ‘Meh’ and ‘Twitterati’ – Now, in Latest Oxford Dictionary

The dance move gains a place in linguistic history, with “meh” and “twitterati” also added in this year’s edition.

The dictionary now describes twerking as dancing “in a sexually provocative manner, using thrusting movements of the bottom and hips while in a low, squatting stance.”

It had previously listed the word, but then to refer to a twisting or jerking movement or twitch. Researchers found it used as a noun with that meaning in 1820, spelt “twirk.” It became a verb by 1848, and the “twerk” spelling was popularly used by 1901.

Senior editor Fiona McPherson called revelations about the word’s roots “quite spectacular.”

She said the word as a description of a dance has its roots in the 1990s New Orleans music scene.

‘Meh’ for Oxford

Meanwhile, “meh” can be traced back to 1992 - and a few years later, the word’s popularity grew when it featured regularly in The Simpsons.

The OED charts the historical development of the English language and has stricter admission criteria than other Oxford dictionaries. New entries must have been in use in both news stories and fiction for at least 10 years.

Other new entries, announced Thursday, include social-media term “twitterati” and smokers’ helper “e-cigarette.”