Syllabification: (sel·fie)

Pronunciation: /ˈselfē/

(also selfy); noun (plural selfies); informal

Definition: A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website. (Oxford English Dictionary, 2013)

The word “selfie” was named Oxford English Dictionary’s 2013 Word of the Year.

Everyone used the word as if it were a real one, so in due course it turned into a real word. Seems legit.

The rather sad part is, people took selfies so often that it required its own name. Then people said that word so many times that the Oxford English Dictionary, the dictionary of all dictionaries, had no choice but to give it its own entry.

This has been a downgrade to the English language, considering the word represents an action many people aren’t particularly fond of. It’s hard to believe anyone really enjoys the slew of selfies they find themselves scrolling through as they attempt to entertain themselves on Facebook.

“Selfies get really boring. I really hate when people post a picture of themselves every day. I don’t think they realize they look the same,” said Mi Ding, 18, English major.

Hopefully now that the Oxford Dictionary has come out with the official definition, people will take note of their usage example of the word selfie, which specifically states, “ … posting a new picture of yourself everyday isn’t necessary.”

Some of the most heinous forms of sefies in this narcissistic world include duckfaces, mirror selfies and everyone’s favorite – belfies, which is derived from that one time Kim Kardashian took a selfie of her famous backside.

“I don’t understand duckfaces and why people think they’re attractive,” said Jason Hong, 19, business major. “Ducks are great. But people trying to look like them, no.”

One can argue, people are improving the economy by taking selfies. According to a study done by the New York Times, Snapchat and Instagram are a 350 billion dollar industry that cashes in on the millions of duckfaces and selfies uploaded to social media websites every day.

Recently, advertising agency BBDO Guerrero started a campaign that helps raise money for Typhoon Haiyan relief in the Philippines by encouraging people to post a selfie with a sign in front of their face with the hashtag #unselfie, promoting awareness for those who have had their lives turned upside down because of the Typhoon.

In a way, the addition of selfie to such a prominent dictionary has helped raise awareness for an important, urgent cause.

Perhaps the Oxford Dictionary knows what it’s doing after all.