"Trash Panda" for Raccoon: Trending New Slang Recognized by Leading US Dictionary

From "Sunday Scaries" to "Vibe Coding"

A Surge of AI and SNS Era Language Added to the Dictionary

Newly coined terms reflecting the era of the Internet, social networking services (SNS), and generative artificial intelligence (AI) have been extensively added to Merriam-Webster, the leading dictionary in the United States.

On September 15, 2026 (local time), Merriam-Webster, the renowned American dictionary publisher, announced on its website that it has added 1,400 new words and definitions to its dictionary. Among the words included this time, one that stands out is "meme coin." Meme coins are virtual assets created around internet memes, famous individuals, or trending topics. Their value is often driven more by their online popularity and the community built around them than by any practical utility.

Newly coined terms reflecting the era of the internet, social networking services (SNS), and generative artificial intelligence (AI) have been extensively added to Merriam-Webster, the leading American dictionary. Merriam-Webster website

A representative example of a meme coin is Dogecoin, which was created using the Shiba Inu dog as its motif. "Official Trump," a political-themed meme coin launched ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, is another case that exemplifies the meme coin craze. Many expressions originating from social media and online culture were also included. Examples include "looksmaxxing," which refers to actively trying various methods to enhance one’s physical attractiveness, and "parasocial," describing the phenomenon of feeling one-sided intimacy with celebrities, fictional characters, or AI entities never actually met. The term "parasocial" has drawn particular attention lately as new forms of relationships emerge between online influencers and fans, as well as between users and AI chatbots.

There are also expressions reminiscent of Korea’s "Monday blues." "Sunday scaries" refers to the feelings of anxiety and melancholy experienced on Sunday as one anticipates returning to work or school the next day. "Crash out" was also newly added. In everyday life, it refers to losing self-control and reacting aggressively or acting recklessly, while in sports, it is used to describe being eliminated from a competition due to defeat.

Terms indicating the rapid spread of AI were also included in the dictionary. Notably, "vibe coding," a new development approach where developers use natural language to describe the desired functions and direction to an AI in order to create programs. "Uncanny valley" was also newly registered. This term refers to the psychological discomfort or eeriness felt when encountering robots or characters that look almost, but not exactly, like humans.

A particularly eye-catching expression is "trash panda," which in Korean translates to "쓰레기 판다." "Trash panda" is a witty internet slang term for the American raccoon. Merriam-Webster website

A particularly eye-catching expression is "trash panda," which translates to "쓰레기 판다" in Korean. "Trash panda" is a witty internet slang term for raccoon in the United States. The nickname stems from the raccoon’s black markings around its eyes, reminiscent of a panda, and its habit of foraging for food in urban trash cans.

While introducing "trash panda," Merriam-Webster also cleverly referenced another newly added term, the "Mandela Effect." Merriam-Webster explained, "Readers who are convinced that the term 'trash panda' was not in the Merriam-Webster dictionary are probably experiencing the 'Mandela Effect.'"

The Mandela Effect describes the phenomenon in which many people remember an event or fact in a way that differs from reality, yet remember it similarly. The name originates from the large number of people who recalled South Africa’s Nelson Mandela as having died much earlier than he actually did. Other additions include "glow-up," referring to a striking improvement in appearance; "cuffing season," the time of year when people look for a partner to spend the cold months together; "Rickroll," the internet prank involving Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up" video; "AGI" (Artificial General Intelligence); "yacht rock"; "superfood"; "bao"; and "chili crisp," encompassing terms from technology, food, music, and romance culture. Merriam-Webster stated, "The newly added entries reflect words and meanings that have come to be widely used over time," adding, "They provide a window into today’s world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.