OXFORD –
Words like selfie and truthiness — both born from modern pop culture — have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary in recent times. Now we have another: methface.
Methface
noun
1.
A condition crystal methamphetamine addicts regularly develop that causes scabs and pock marks on the user’s face. The sores are often accompanied by premature facial aging.
2.
slang
A slur used to describe any person’s ugly face, typically one with acne.
The word methface became popularized by Faces of Meth campaigns and humor sites showing before and after mugshots of meth addicts. The word then took on additional meaning as a slang word to insult other people, typically those who have acne or those with “old looking faces.”
Co-editor at Oxford University, Jules Byron, said in the past they would never have listed slang words, but the Internet has been a major game changer.
“The Internet has created an evolving lexicon, a new way of speaking that we’ve had to come to terms with. We’ve been dragging our heels on not wanting to keep up, but we’re getting with the times,” Byron said. “We’ve been asked about adding acronyms like LOL and LMAO, but that is too far for us. Methface and a few others that we feel have important and lasting cultural relevance are all we will be adding with the edition.”
Oxford has not released what other additional words will be included.