Idiocracy among 1,400 new words in Oxford dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has officially added word ‘Idiocracy’ in it. It is among 1,400 new words, senses, and phrases added to the latest update of OED. The OED has defined word as society consisting of or governed by people characterized as idiots or government formed of people considered stupid, ignorant, or idiotic.

Other New words

OED also added term ‘trapo’ which in Philippine English means politician perceived as belonging to conventional and corrupt ruling class. It also added adjective bongga from Philippine English borrowed from Tagalog, which means extravagant, flamboyant, impressive, stylish, or excellent

Key Facts

OED undergoes revision four times every year. Apart from new words and phrases, new senses are added to existing words. OED records over 100 words derived ultimately from Greek suffix -cracy, meaning ‘power’ or ‘rule’. Words like democracy and aristocracy originated in ancient Greek, but by the 18th century, -ocracy was being added to English words as in statocracy and mobocracy. In the 19th century large number trickle of such formations with many of new words being terms of ridicule. The earlier terms foolocracy (1832) and idiotocracy (used by Ambrose Bierce in 1909) express a similar concept.

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: 23 August

The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition was observed across world every year on 23 August. The day designated by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade.

Observance of this day marks anniversary of 1791 insurrection of enslaved men and women in western part of island of Santo Domingo, which is now known as Haiti. These men and women torn from Africa and sold into slavery had revolted against the slave system. This Haitian Revolution had led to their freedom and independence in 1804. This Haitian Revolution had led to their freedom and independence in 1804. This uprising was turning point in human history.

Background

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was proclaimed by UNESCO Executive Board by adopting resolution 29 C/40 by its General Conference at its 29th session. The Day was first celebrated in number of countries, particularly in Haiti on in 1998 and in Senegal in 1999.