“Fridging” Officially Added to Merriam-Webster Thanks to Gail Simone

“Fridging” Officially Added to Merriam-Webster Thanks to Gail Simone

The term “fridging“, born from a critique of how women are harmed in fiction to advance male characters’ stories, is now officially part of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It was coined by Gail Simone in 1999 through her “Women in Refrigerators” list, which spotlighted how female characters in comics were routinely killed, abused, or sidelined for plot convenience.

The dictionary defines fridging as “to kill/harm a character (in a movie, show, etc.) to motivate another,” noting the trope’s gendered history and overuse. Its roots trace back to Green Lantern #54 (1994), where Kyle Rayner’s girlfriend is murdered and stuffed in a fridge—a scene that coined the term.

Simone reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “That is surprising and cool. Thank you, MW!” Merriam-Webster replied with appreciation, highlighting the cultural impact of her work.

The addition signals a shift in how storytelling tropes are being challenged, and how fan-led criticism can lead to industry-wide awareness and reform.