Merriam-Webster shows how to win social media
The dictionary’s Twitter managers take their jobs very seriously. Here’s how they speedily reacted to a notable editor’s comment online, and got people talking.
Don’t mess with Merriam-Webster on social media.
If you do, the dictionary maker’s nuanced team will shut you down.
Slate senior editor, Gabriel Roth, learned that the hard way when he tweeted in response to a recent Merriam-Webster article.
Here’s how it unfolded.
First, Merriam-Webster tweeted the following:
It’s fine to use mad to mean “angry”—even if doing so makes some people mad. https://t.co/Z5ClzvAnaZ
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) September 7, 2016
Roth responded with a string of tweets:
I feel like @MerriamWebster is turning into the “chill” parent who lets your friends come over and get high https://t.co/dM4HT2Brt2
— Gabriel Roth (@gabrielroth) September 7, 2016
It’s great at first, it’s nice to have friends and a place to get high, but something about it starts to feel wrong
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