‘Yooper’ Added to Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Finally! After all of these years, my people are finally recognized as existing by the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Monday, after 10 years of campaigning, the word "Yooper" was added to the dictionary.
That decade-long campaign was headed up by a Yooper named Steve Parks.
As part of the process, Merriam-Webster officials needed to verify that the word wasn't just a local term (it is NOT a local term, dang it!).
The word is defined as "a native or resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan," and will appear beginning in the 2014 edition of the dictionary, according to Merriam-Webster officials.
There will be an official celebration taking place in August and a representative from Merriam-Webster is planning to attend and get a good look at what it means to be a Yooper. (I hope they like pasties.)