The Word ‘Stan’ Has Been Added to the English Oxford Dictionary; Thanks, Eminem
The word "stan" has officially been added to the English Oxford Dictionary, and you have one man to thank for that accomplishment— Marshall Mathers.
Eminem's song of the same name, from his landmark 2000 album The Marshall Mathers LP is not only arguably the track that pushed him into another stratosphere of lyricism, but is one of his most popular and a defining track in hip-hop.
The song, which featured Dido, is based on crazed fan named "Stan," who is dangerously obsessed with Eminem and commits a horrible crime, has become a slang term in the years since, and now the dictionary is recognizing it as well. The video, which starred Devon Edward as "Stan," brought the song to life and was nominated for Video of the Year at the MTV Awards and went #1 in 11 countries.
The Oxford English Dictionary’s entry for “Stan” used as a noun reads: “An overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity.” The dictionary’s entry for “Stan” used as a verb reads the same.
“Early 21st century: probably with allusion to the 2000 song ‘Stan’ by the American rapper Eminem, about an obsessed fan,” reads the dictionary.
Take a listen to the song below.