Poll: Does 'f-bomb' belong in Merriam-Webster's dictionary?

By Rene Lynch

Aug. 14, 2012 12 AM PT

“F-bomb”? Really? That’s the reaction many in America are having today after learning that “f-bomb” is a new entry in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.

Some say Merriam-Webster’s, which bills itself as America’s bestselling dictionary, goes too far with this latest entry. (We won’t repeat the definition in full, but the dictionary does say the term is “used metaphorically as a euphemism.”)

But what do you think?

Is “f-bomb” an appropriate term to put in the dictionary? Let us know via our highly unscientific poll at left, and elaborate in the comments section below. But watch your language.

Here are a few comments posted on Merriam’s own website, voicing displeasure with the “f-bomb” entry that some see as a further coarsening of our culture, while others find it helpful:

--”...a grave mistake... I am disappointed with the inclusion...”

--”The f-word has always been in the dictionary. This is specifically the definition of ‘f-bomb’. I would much rather hear someone say ‘f-bomb’ than drop the real f-bomb.”

--”Heard of it on Facebook, I couldn’t believe it.. Now I know it to be true. A sad day in the history of man kind , when such words are even placed in a book of history, information or education. So sad, very sad!”

--”I don’t mind seeing it in a dictionary. Helpful for non-English speakers.”

--”Now our students can claim this is in the dictionary. What a shame!”

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