Zyzzyva: The newest last word in the Oxford English Dictionary, explained

If you're trying to figure out how to play that winning word in Scrabble, the final word found in the Oxford English Dictionary might help you. 

Zyzzyva, a genus of South African weevils found on or near palm trees, is the newest last word you'll find in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Zyzzyva replaces the previous last word in the OED, zythum, an ancient Egyptian malt beer. 

In this past quarter alone, the Oxford English Dictionary said it has added 600 new words, phrases, and senses, including gin daisy, an American cocktail made with lemon juice and gin, and chantoosie, a female pop singer.