Oxford Adds 'Bae', Other New Words to Dictionary

Oxford lexicographers have added a set of new words to its vocabulary. Words like “vape”, “bae” have all been accepted as legitimate words.

“Vape” has been named as Oxford's International word of the year because of the rise in the use of the word as it relates to electronic cigarettes.

"Vape", a verb meaning to inhale and exhale the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device, emerged the word of the year beating words like "bae", "normcore" “budtender”, “normcore” “contactless” and “slacktivism”.

According to Oxford’s calculations, usage of "vape", which as a noun can refer to an e-cigarette or similar device, more than doubled between 2013 and 2014.

Judy Pearsall, Editorial Director for Oxford Dictionaries, said: "As vaping has gone mainstream, with celebrities from Lindsay Lohan to Barry Manilow giving it a go, and with growing public debate on the public dangers and the need for regulation, so the language usage of the word “vape” and related terms in 2014 has shown a marked increase."

"Bae", which is used as a term of flattery for a romantic partner originated in African-American English and has been propelled into global usage through social media and lyrics in hip-hop and R&B music. It is thought that it most likely originated as a shortened form of baby or babe, but is sometimes interpreted as an acronym for "before anyone else".

The 2013 Oxford word of the year was selfie .