When do words, become words?

[Hyburnate]

Excuse the really confusing title, but when does a word become an acceptable word?

Of course the English language is very old, and new 'slang' is found each and every day, but how does something become acceptable?

If you look into many words you find they first appeared in a book in year XXXX, so how do these days, words become words?

It's worth saying, I am fully sober I am just incredibly curious

 

[Hyburnate]

there is no specific time when, it just kinda happens gradually

Through common usage.

When a word is deemed common usage, it will be collected and added to a dictionary.

There is no merit test, unfortunately.

So.. who decides? Can we bodge the system and get something in?