Urban Dictionary is a Web-based dictionary of slang words and phrases. As of 2009, the site claims over four million definitions "written since 1999." Submissions are regulated by volunteer editors and rated by site visitors. Time magazine's Anita Hamilton placed the Urban Dictionary on her 50 best websites of 2008 list.
The dictionary was founded in 1999 by Aaron Peckham, then a freshman computer science major at California Polytechnic State University.
The definitions on Urban Dictionary are meant to be of slang or subculture words, phrases, and phenomena not found in standard dictionaries. Most words have multiple definitions, usage examples, and tags. Many of the entries on Urban Dictionary are coarse, profane or offensive. A high percentage of entries are sexual. Many appear to be the inventions of users either for purposes of mischief or fame-seeking.[citation needed] Although some of the entries come with pictures, users cannot directly upload pictures into the site.
Racist, homonegative or sexist terms are acceptable as long as their definitions only document the use of such slurs and are not themselves abusive. Site guidelines recommend that submitters and volunteer editors shun definitions that include inside jokes, personal references to non-celebrities, nonsense, advertisements, or descriptions of sexual violence. However, the website does little to prevent definitions with those traits from appearing.[citation needed] Urban Dictionary's chief...
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