Let's make dord a word again!

Let's make dord a word again!

The Issue

In 1934 Merriam-Webster published a brand-new dictionary: Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition. It was beautiful and astounding, and it included this entry:

dord (dôrd), n. Physics & Chem. Density.

Dord was actually a ghost word created by mistake due to a series of errors. Five years later an editor noted the out-of-place entry for dord and set in motion the process that exorcised this spectral entry from future printings.

Now it's time to bring dord back! It's a fun-sounding word that could adopt several definitions. My proposal is:

dord (dôrd) noun

inflected form(s): plural -s

1. a ghost word

2. a lexicographic error

Origin of DORD: English "D or d", read as one word and included in Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition.

Example sentence: Many people think the word "irregardless"  is a dord, but it's first known use has been documented back to 1795.

So, what do you say? Please join me in making the case for Merriam-Webster to put "dord" back where it belongs: in the dictionary!

I realize many online petitions address serious issues; by no means am I implying this is one of them.

I'm just trying to lighten the load and brighten your day with this. Maybe even put a smile on your face as you head on over to sign.

Stand up for dord!

Thank you.

 

This petition had 42 supporters

The Issue

In 1934 Merriam-Webster published a brand-new dictionary: Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition. It was beautiful and astounding, and it included this entry:

dord (dôrd), n. Physics & Chem. Density.

Dord was actually a ghost word created by mistake due to a series of errors. Five years later an editor noted the out-of-place entry for dord and set in motion the process that exorcised this spectral entry from future printings.

Now it's time to bring dord back! It's a fun-sounding word that could adopt several definitions. My proposal is:

dord (dôrd) noun

inflected form(s): plural -s

1. a ghost word

2. a lexicographic error

Origin of DORD: English "D or d", read as one word and included in Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition.

Example sentence: Many people think the word "irregardless"  is a dord, but it's first known use has been documented back to 1795.

So, what do you say? Please join me in making the case for Merriam-Webster to put "dord" back where it belongs: in the dictionary!

I realize many online petitions address serious issues; by no means am I implying this is one of them.

I'm just trying to lighten the load and brighten your day with this. Maybe even put a smile on your face as you head on over to sign.

Stand up for dord!

Thank you.

 

The Decision Makers

Merriam-Webster Inc.
Merriam-Webster Inc.

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Petition created on February 22, 2021