Published on: August 15, 2012
by Kevin CoupeThe Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary is out with its newest edition, and, as usual, the newest words included in the tome are a reflection of how the world is changing.
Like "flexitarian." "Energy drink." "Life coach." And "sexting."
Slate, however, points out another term that makes the dictionary for the first time:
"F-bomb."
Apparently, in tracing the origins of the term, the dictionary editors found that it was Gary Carter, the great New York Mets and Montreal Expos catcher, who apparently used it the first time.
Carter, who rarely swore, told a sportswriter that he'd only been thrown out of games twice in his life, that it was by the same umpire, and that it happened when he dropped "the f-bomb."
Carter died last year of cancer at age 57. It now appears that he will be remembered forever by Mets fans, by visitors to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and by anyone who peruses the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.
It's an Eye-Opener.
- KC's View: