Stuff to Blog About and More: New Words according to Merriam-Webster

The people who bring us the Merriam-Webster dictionary are forever trying to keep up and keep us up on the changing trends in words. An example;weltanschauung

\VELT-ahn-show-ung ("ow" as in "cow")\ noun, often capitalized

: a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint. I never knew that and probably will never need to know it.

The latest edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, offers up new words such as edamame (immature green soybeans), pescatarian (a vegetarian who eats fish) and about 100 other newly added words.

Other new words include prosecco (a sparkling Italian wine) and soju (a Korean vodka distilled from rice). Do you even know what an infinity pool is ? FYI- it's an outdoor pool with an edge designed to make water appear to flow into the horizon.

Merriam-Webster doesn't stop there.

Using their open dictionary, individuals, such you or I, can submit works. It's kind of like inventing a word. I wonder if you can copyright it and make some money off of a word?

It's easy to do, according to Merriam-Webster.

Submit and share entries that aren't already in their Online Dictionary,

Use the submit form to create an entry for a new word or sense. Your word—complete with definition, example sentence, and your name if you choose!—will be added to Merriam-Webster's Open Dictionary database, and in a matter of hours you may see your entry displayed in the Most Recent Entries listing above.

FTC: Your Rights: Credit Reporting

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights under the FCRA and how to order a free annual credit report.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.

How do I order my free report?

You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com, by calling 1-877-322-8228, or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

When you order, you need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

A Warning About "Imposter" Sites

The FTC advises consumers who order their free annual credit reports online to be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from the FTC's website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports,but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized website, they are not required to make a purchase to receive their free annual credit reports.

For more information on free annual credit reports, read Your Access to Free Credit Reports.