Author EL James with her 'mummy porn' Fifty Shades of Grey © Getty‘Mummy porn’ is one of 80 words and phrases to have been added to the Collins Dictionary website, alongside new entries ‘frenemy’, ‘floordrobe’ and ‘amazeballs’.
According to its definition, the term describes erotic novels, such as Fifty Shades of Grey, which are read by women.
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Collins invited members of the public to suggest words to add to its online dictionary and they’ve since added 80 words that were recommended.
"We were optimistic about just how keen people would be to take part, but have been blown away by the volume and variety of submissions, and the way that this opportunity to contribute and help document the English language has captured the public imagination,” said Alex Brown, head of digital at Collins.
‘Frenemy’ has also been added, a term for someone who’s a friend but also an enemy, as well as ‘floordrobe’, which is defined as a ‘pile of contents left on the floor of a room.’
Tanya Clarke, 30, was the one who suggested the term ‘amazeballs’.
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"I first saw it on Facebook and I just thought it was really cool," said Tanya.
"My daughter is 10 and she uses it all the time. I think it is one of those words that will be used a lot by teenagers and pre-teens.
"I think the opportunity offered by Collins to submit words is really good as it means people have the chance to give their views on things that people are actually saying and the terms they are using. It will keep things up-to-date,” she added.
Other new entries to the online dictionary include shabby chic, a style of interior design that uses distressed furniture to achieve a ‘romantic effect’, and tiger mother, which is defined as ‘a very strict mother who demands that her children reach a high level of achievement’.
Abbreviations have also been added, including LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and BBM (BlackBerry Messenger).
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Members of the public can still submit words to the Collins online dictionary, which it says allows it to keep up-to-date with new words all the time.
The criteria for adding new words includes how often it’s used, number of sources and staying power in the English language.
"We look forward to receiving more submissions over the coming months and years, and, as the pace of change within the English language continues to accelerate, the contributions by eagle-eyed and sharp-eared word-spotters will become increasingly important,” said Mr. Brown.
The entries will now be considered for the dictionary's print edition.
What word would you add to the dictionary?
