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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lola Christina Alao

Beyoncé added to latest edition of French dictionary Le Petit Larousse

Beyoncé will be added to the latest edition of the French encyclopaedic dictionary Le Petit Larousse.

The American singer-songwriter will feature alongside celebrities including Cate Blanchett, French actor Omar Sy, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, and French rugby captain Antoine Dupont. 

More than 150 new words have been added to the 120th version of the book this year.

In an interview with Le Point, Larousse's head of dictionaries and encyclopedias Carine Girac-Marinier said that the entries “reflect concerns, developments or strong movements this year”, as well as “values of the Petit Larousse - excellence and promotion of French culture”.

Fans took to social media to respond to the news, with one writing: “She really is a legend.” Another said: “Beyoncé’s influence knows no bounds!” A third user commented: “When your name is a verb!”

Another user wasn't so sure: "But why? It's actually so cool just wondering what they will put as a definition."

In 2004, the term “bootylicious” – featured in Destiny’s Child 2001 single of the same name – was added to the Oxford English Dictionary with the definition “(of a woman) sexually attractive”.

In February, Beyoncé made history by becoming the first Black woman to reach number one on the US country chart with Texas Hold ‘Em. She also became the first Black female artist to achieve a number one country album with Cowboy Carter.

In a four-star review, The Evening Standard wrote: "Powered by Giddons’ nimble banjo licks, Texas Hold ‘Em’s irresistible country-pop remains one of the singles of the year, and delivers a powerful reminder of how Beyoncé earned her place as the first Black woman ever to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. 

"Cowboy Carter really comes into its own with its more unexpected fusions." 

Other new additions to the Le Petit Larousse include the English phrases “fast fashion” and “platisme” (the French term for the Flat Earth theory), as well as "trottinettiste", a person who rides a scooter, or "trottinette".

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