AUSTIN, Texas-It’s official, Wi-Fi is here to stay. The word Wi-Fi has been added to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition for 2005.
“You know you’ve truly made it when you’re in Webster’s dictionary,” said Frank Hanzlik, managing director of the Wi-Fi Alliance. “Wi-Fi is not only a way of life for thousands and thousands, but also is now a bona fide part of the English language.”
Webster’s defines “Wi-Fi” as follows: “Wi-Fi (certification mark)-used to certify the interoperability of wireless computer networking devices.”
“We couldn’t have hoped for a better way to highlight the importance of interoperability, and this also reinforces our message that ‘it’s not Wi-Fi unless it’s Wi-Fi certified,'” Hanzlik said. “Webster’s is a highly respected source for word definitions, so appearing in the dictionary lends real credibility to everything the Wi-Fi Alliance has been working toward.”
According to Webster’s, Wi-Fi is one of nearly 100 new words that have been added to the dictionary. A few other new entries include brain freeze, chick flick and metadata.
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a nonprofit industry association devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks through testing and certification programs that ensure interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification.
