Dictionary Adds 'Selfie' But Not 'Twerk'

For the 2013 update to the 5th edition of the American Heritage Dictionary, the editors added hundreds of new words and usage changes.

Steve Kleinedler, executive editor of the American Heritage Dictionaries, discusses a few of the changes with Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson.

He says the dictionary decided to add "selfie," a self-portrait photo usually taken with a cellphone, but not "twerk," the sexually-suggestive dance made infamous by Miley Cyrus's performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

"Before we add pop culture terms, we like to make sure they have staying power," Kleinedler says.