Klingons, Jedi knights and Taliban fight their way into dictionary

The Klingons have finally made it to Oxford. A couple of centuries before Captain Kirk began to wander the universe, his avowed enemies, the phrase "warp factor" and other gems of intergalactic travel have been listed in the new edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.

Other science fiction cinematic blockbusters, such as Star Wars and Men in Black, have joined Star Trek in contributing commonly used words to the English language.

Words and phrases, such as "Jedi", "parallel universe", and "the dark side" have all been included. Words are generally considered for inclusion in the dictionary only if they have been used five times, from five different sources over five years. "Dilithium", a crystalline substance that regulates the USS Enterprise's warp drive, apparently falls into that category. The phenomenal popularity of Star Trek and its active fanbase are seen as the reasons behind the continued use of its science fiction terminology.

Duncan Robinson, 24, a student and part-time commander of Zone 10 (Europe) of Maquis Forces International, based at Starbase Essex, said: "The words become popular because the themes deal with a lot of everyday issues, like people having relationships."

Not only the bêtes noires of sci-fi regimes are introduced for the first time into the dictionary. The Falun Gong, a sect demonised by the Chinese leadership, and the Taliban have also entered the dictionary since it was last published nearly 10 years ago.

The phrase "asymmetrical warfare" – defined as "involving surprise attacks by small simply armed groups on a nation with sophisticated modern armed forces" – is also included for the first time.

The dictionary has included some 3,500 new words including Tardis, Dr Who's chosen form of transport from an earlier era of science fiction. It was included because the term is now seen as having a wider usage rather than just as a time machine, suggesting something that is bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside.

The modern-day fascination of outer appearance is also included with a number of words and phrases linked with appearance, size and diet. "Body-mass index", "sizeism" and "orthorexia" – an obsession with eating the right foods – all make their first appearance in the dictionary.

Words from the dark side - the new Oxford English

dilithium

A fictitious crystalline substance used as a source of power for spacecraft in the US science fiction television programme Star Trek

mind meld

A supposed technique for the psychic fusion of two or more minds, permitting unrestricted communication or deep understanding (originally from the US television series Star Trek)

parallel universe

A universe or world conceived of as existing alongside or in addition to that which is known, having many similarities to it but usually differing in some significant way

Britpop

Pop music by British groups, specifically that of the mid-1990s, such as Oasis, which was seen as influenced by the Beatles and other British groups of the 1960s

bog standard

Ordinary, basic; unexceptional or uninspired

gym rat

A person who frequents a gym

wedgie

1. A wedge-heeled shoe. Now also, a shoe with a platform sole. 2. The action of pulling up the material of someone's underwear tightly between the buttocks, as a practical joke

ass backwards

Backwards; in a manner contrary to what is usual, expected, or logical

bling-bling

(The wearing of) expensive designer clothing and flashy jewellery, as personified by Ali G

name and shame

Make public details of failure, wrongdoing, or other shortcoming on the part of a specified person, institution, etc