eli5 how do new words form, get approved and get added in the dictionary?

Question

Like this word “rap” no one did rap back then.. This word didn’t exist. Who made this up and how did it get added to dictionary?

In: Other

Answer 1

I’d be interested to know when you think “back then” was exactly. The use of “rap” to describe the kind of music we associate it with today is actually an extension of the term for …

*(chiefly in African American use) a verbal display, esp. one intended to impress. Hence: improvised dialogue; banter, ‘spiel’; an instance of this.*

*…* which arose in the 1950s.