We live in a world where new words emerge on an almost daily basis. For example, I have heard people say "It's chill" probably more than I've heard the words "how are you?" or "good morning." Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines "chill" as "adj : moderately cold." According to the dictionary, this often occuring conversation would make no sense...
Person 1: "Hey man, sorry I didn't text you about Saturday."
Person 2: "It's chill. We can hang next weekend."
By dictionary standards, Person 2 is needs a jacket, but is content to make plans at a later date. We teenagers, and probably a lot of adults, would know Person 2 actually means that there are no hard feelings, that Person 1 need not worry, etc.
The word "chill" proves how loose the terms of our language are. Even though it's intended use does not always match up with its interpreted use, "chill" as an adjective is totally acceptable. Where does that definition come from? Certainly not Mr. Webster. Mob mentality? (If 100 people use it a certain way, than I can use it the same way) I think so. It is easier for a "mob mentality" to arise when people are in constant communication; the Internet lets the world know what someone is thinking. Facebook comes to my mind. If I set my status to "What a chill day- first the beach, then the movies, then home for some quality time with the fam." *Disclaimer: I do not actually talk like this!* then my 300 something "friends" would know that the word chill can be used as a synonym for "good."
The Internet makes the world smaller, and ideas become known in an instant. Does the dictionary give us an accurate depiction of conversation? Unless it is updated constantly, have regional versions, and have versions for different age groups, I don't think it can. Populations are defined in different terms now, and that necessitates different resources. We can no longer rely on "standards" when they vary so much from person to person, group to group, status to status.
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