I'm surprised. Merriam-Webster is usually the Urban Dictionary of print dictionaries. I'd have more expected them to change their definition because "muh common usage."
I never really thought about choosing a side, but I am a staunch supporter of the Oxford comma. I guess now I know which side Iβm on. Letβs fucking go
I once worked with a guy from Missouri who said, "you know that little stub that sticks down into Arkansas? If we cut that off and gave it to Arkansas, it'd raise the average IQ of both states by 10 points."
Always thought it was funny, but never knew if he was joking.
I once read an article praising the 1913 edition of the Webster's dictionary and I have been using it ever since (in the form of GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English). That with etymonline makes the reading experience quite pleasant.
also common usage is what defines words; that has nothing to do with MW. that's how language works. i can't believe there are still prescriptionists in this century.