Scrabble Changes the Rules

Mattel, makers of the popular Scrabble board game, have introduced new rules for the first time in the game's history. In a bid to attract younger players, proper nouns, place names and brand names will be allowed. IMO, this could prove problematic because there is no way to verify if these proper names are valid. As for brand names, what about regional brand names with little recognition outside certain geographical areas? How about obscure place names: Hogswallow, for instance. Valid?

What do you think? Is this a good move or an invalid play?

Should proper nouns be allowed in Scrabble?

• Yes! Good move!
• Time will tell...
• No way! Invalid play!
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According to the The Sunday Telegraph: British players of the lexicographical board game are caught up in an unseemly row over whether to allow words used in mobile telephone text messages. Modernizers claim that shortened text phrases such as ttfn (ta ta for now), cuthen (see you, then), and fwiw (for what it's worth), should be included in Official Scrabble Words. They think that this would encourage young people to play.

Traditionalists, however, are furious with the suggestion. They claim that to allow a mixture of distorted English and abbreviations would bring Britain's favourite board game into disrepute. What's your take?

Should words used in mobile telephone text messaging or chatspeak be allowed in Scrabble? IMHO

• ASAP
• ROFL
• NC
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