POPULAR CULTURE: ‘Gangnam Style’ makes it into Collins dictionary

A magnifying glass shows that South Korean rapper Psy’s video for ‘Gangnam Style’ has topped one billion views on YouTube on Dec. 21, 2012. Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images

Los Angeles, Dec 21 (IANS) South Korean singer Psy’s “Gangnam Style” has made its way into the Collins dictionary.

“Gangnam Style” has joined the group of unconventional “words” along with “fiscal cliff” and “Romneyshambles.”

“Fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms of the Budget Control Act are scheduled to go into effect. “Romneyshambles” refers to Mitt Romney’s gaffe-ridden visit to London in July, in which he questioned Britain’s readiness to host the Olympics, reports contactmusic.com.

Romney was the Republican Party’s nominee for the U.S. presidential elections in 2012.

“We were looking for words that told the story of the year. Some words are from events that have been and gone and so are not likely to stick around … but others are probably here to stay,” said Ian Brookes, the dictionary’s consultant editor.

Tags: 2012, fiscal cliff, Gangnam Style, Mitt Romney, Republican Party, Romneyshambles, U.S. government, U.S. presidential elections