September 13th 2023.
Dictionary.com is expanding its word list to include several new cultural terms, such as those that stem from Black culture. This includes words like 'nepo baby' and 'NIL,' which are part of the platform's Fall 2023 update.
One of the terms now officially recognized by the platform is 'box braids.' The online dictionary provides two definitions for the hairstyle: a triple stranded braid using the hair from a sectioned-off square on the scalp, and a style derived by the Black community. It also notes the origins of the style between 1980 and 1985.
However, the definition could be more expansive as it doesn't include the fact that additional hair is typically used and braided into one's natural tresses to appear as varying lengths. It would also be beneficial if there was a subsection of all the different types of box braids, including knotless and bohemian.
In another effort to be more inclusive, Dictionary.com has also evolved from using gendered phrases in its definitions, opting for the pronoun 'they' instead. This comes as new updates are also being made regarding the official recognition of other words derived from African American Vernacular English.
Oxford University Press is developing an AAVE dictionary, set for a 2025 release date. Henry Louis Gates Jr. will be the editor guiding the publication in curating a vast list of words that make up the language of Black Americans. This dictionary will provide an even more comprehensive definition of words and terms that are used in Black culture.
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