* Language is constantly evolving: New words are constantly being created, and their origin is often difficult to trace.
* No central authority: There's no official body that keeps track of every new word coined.
* Definitions are subjective: What constitutes a "new word" can be blurry. Does it need to be entirely novel, or can it be a combination of existing words?
That being said, some figures are often cited as prolific word-coiners:
* William Shakespeare: Arguably the most famous, Shakespeare is credited with introducing hundreds of new words and phrases into English.
* Samuel Johnson: The author of the first comprehensive English dictionary, Johnson defined and popularized many words.
* Scientists and other specialists: Many new words are coined by experts in specific fields, as they need to describe new concepts and ideas.
While there's no definitive answer, the English language is a dynamic entity enriched by contributions from countless individuals throughout history.