Given your vocabulary a workout lately? You probably have, even without knowing it. We exercise mental muscles by reaching past weak, tired words to grab vivid, fresher ones. Even your parents likely haven't said "sneakers" or "cassette" lately.

The living, changing status of English keeps dictionary publishers on their toes. About 100 new words and phrases are added to the 11th edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, going on sale Sept. 1. Newcomers include technology terms such as blogosphere, webinar and malware, everyday shorthand such as air quotes, the sport of kiteboarding and a phrase reflecting poker's popularity -- Texas Hold'em.

The refreshed dictionary also features fanboy, which describes a super-fan of a film or comic genre. Other additions come from changes in what Americans eat and drink. They include edamame (immature green soybeans) and pescatarian (a vegetarian whose diet includes fish).

Editor says: "The language has changed to adapt and acknowledge new technologies. Language adapts to society in every field, in every time. That is how it works." -- Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster

Writer says: "Nothing can replace the words nerd or geek to describe an over-enthusiastic devotee, but fanboy helps narrow the field." - Michelle Kung, Wall Street Journal

Publisher says: "Webinar is one more example of the significant ongoing trend for electronic technologies to add words to the language." - John Morse, Merriam-Webster president/publisher