FOR the first time, the Oxford English Dictionary has added the shortened words used in text messages to the new edition published this week.

HAND - have a nice day, and THKQ, thank you, along with PPL (people). WKND (weekend) and PCM (please call me) are listed in a glossary at the back along with emoticons, faces made up of keyboard characters. It's a language of its own, that is.

Other new words that have made it into the tome include number one (as in the haircut, not the other) and ladette ( a woman behaving badly), plus Ali G's minger and minging.

In his case, the first means an unattractive person or thing, and the second, foul smelling. In my speak, mingey means tight (as with money).