Never underestimate the power of a fired-up Scrabble competitor. It started when Delta County Prosecutor Steve Parks’ friend challenged Parks' use of “Yooper” (an eleven-point word). When the dictionary didn't back Parks up, Parks decided to challenge the dictionary. For more than a decade he researched his topic (George Gipp “The Gipper,” Tom Izzo, and Hon. John D. Voelker are all notable, and self-identified, Yoopers), gathered documentation, contacted at least two editors at Merriam-Webster, and lobbied for his addition. Thanks to his persistence, the upcoming edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary includes “Yooper – a native or resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.” Persistence pays off, you betcha.
HT: Mlive
