Reflecting our Culture

This funky website has words that are being considered for entry into the Merriam-Webster dictionary. This month’s entry has some that spark my interest:
metanoia (noun) : a transformative change of heart; especially : a spiritual conversion. Gotta remember that to tell my priest, Karen. I think she’ll be impressed, if I use it in a sentence… don’t you think?
peeps (noun), plural [by shortening & alteration] slang : human beings making up a group or assembly or linked by a common interest. My step daughter, Julie, is going to love this! She uses it regularly to describe those she loves. I’m one of her ‘peeps’. Nearly official, I think this means we can use it for Scrabble.
spyware (noun) : software that is installed in a computer without the user’s knowledge and that transmits information about the user’s computer activities over the Internet. I’m sad there’s a world where spyware is prevalent. Just seems wrong that something as innocent as exchanging information over the Internet is being ruined by malicious acts like spyware. Will someone please protect us from this kind of crime? Symantec, we need you, come to the rescue!