Toxic debt, 'bromance' vie for dictionary honor

The global financial crisis competes with old favorites like sex and celebrity in a search launched this week by Australia's top dictionary for the best new word or phrase.

Toxic debt may not have the ring of bromance, sexting or climate porn but the description of worthless loans - like those that sparked the meltdown in world markets - has entered everyday usage with a vengeance.

That puts it in the running for the annual popular vote on the Macquarie dictionary's favorite new word in its latest online volume.