'Fanboy' makes Merriam-Webster's list of new English words

Thanks to the new Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, the word fanboy is now officially a member of the English language.

The folks behind the Merriam-Webster dictionary have added more than 100 words and phrases to the new edition of the Collegiate Dictionary, and a popular gaming-related one is among them.

The word? Fanboy, that popular go-to word on gaming forums and comment threads across the Internet.

Here's the official definition, as found in the Collegiate Dictionary, along with the year when Merriam-Webster first saw its unofficial usage. You'll never guess how old it is!

"Fanboy n. (1919): [a] boy who is an enthusiastic devotee, such as of comics or movies." Or video game consoles, *cough, cough*

That's right, readers. Back in the day there were Ford Model T fanboys, among many others throughout the years.

» posted by ITworld staff

GamePro

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