Merriam-Webster confirms what New Orleanians already knew: “Go-Cup” is legit

Neutral Ground News - New Orleans News - SatireDon Kiebels

Welcome to “Odds & Ends“, where we report on real news that
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Beware, students in detention writing out the dictionary (they still do that, right?). Merriam-Webster has added more than 640 new words to the famous big book of definitions but locals will notice one above all others: Go-Cup.

“Go-cup: a plastic or paper cup used especially for taking a beverage off the premises of a bar, restaurant, etc.”

It took a long time for people outside of New Orleans to acknowledge what we locals have known all our lives – Go-Cups are as natural as non-transparent, money-grabbing mayors. And now, it’s an official part of the English language.

“The work of revising a dictionary is constant, and it mirrors the culture’s need to make sense of the world with words,” Merriam-Webster said about the new words added to the official dictionary.

New Orleanians proudly wear the city’s culture on our sleeves and hold it in our hands, even sometimes without knowing it. New Orleans is the guy who is first to dance at a party while everyone else clings to the walls— even if there is no music playing. We are the ones who bring life and laughter wherever we go. And now, the Go-Cup is going places, too, and we don’t mean just filled with alcohol.

In fact, out-of-towners are jealous of New Orleans and want to be able to drink outside as we do. A poll by BeerSyndicate.com confirms it, overwhelmingly. Scott Gold of Thrillist even asks Should The Rest of The United States Adopt The Go-Cup?

“But why is that such a big deal? Why should the mere act of drinking outside be considered such a cultural touchstone? Well, the obvious truth is that it shouldn’t be.”

Now, raise a glass, wherever you are, and salute yet another piece of New Orleans culture being recognized for confusing the hell out of outsiders. Congratulations, Go-Cup. Salute!