Article March 20, 1989 Issue

POSITIVE PRESS

Anne H. Soukhanov

The Atlantic Monthly

From The Atlantic Monthly

"Word Watch"

"Here [is one] of the words being tracked by the editors of The American Heritage Dictionary. ... A new word that exhibits sustained use may eventually make its way into the dictionary. ...

"fiver noun, a person who donates at least five percent of his or her income to charitable organizations or five hours a week to volunteer service....

"BACKGROUND: ... Although ... a complete profile of the typical fiver [has not yet been developed], churchgoing seems to be characteristic."

By Anne H. Soukhanov. As originally published in the August 1987 issue of The Atlantic Monthly.

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