"Monkey wrench" is a word already found in the dictionary, so it wouldn't be a useful example. It already met the bar.

The article is questioning why some words don't meet the bar for inclusion in the dictionary. The word "boiling water" is one such word that it sees as being on the fence. The comments here demonstrate exactly why it is on the fence, but it remains unclear exactly what would be necessary for it to tip towards inclusion.

Sure, but monkey wrench is in the dictionary. Heck, it's even in my printed copy of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.

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