I don’t know about you, but my fascination with words began way before I could even read or write. I remember coming home from school distraught at learning that the foamy stuff you wash your hair with was actually called Shampoo and not Shampool… even though the latter’s reference to water seemed more appropriate to me!
At the age of 16, when others were asking for a new cellphone, all I wanted was the newly revised English dictionary. Nerd Alert! Almost two decades later, I still have this dictionary with the handwritten message that says: ‘To the only person I know who wanted a dictionary for their birthday!’
Today my career is entirely based on the power of words and I love how it is an ever-evolving industry. In fact, the Oxford Dictionary completes a quarterly update and includes some of the newest words, senses and subentries to keep up with the times, four times per year. June 2018 saw the latest revised version with 900 new words added. Here are some of the trending buzzwords that made the last update… Look closely and these words will give you a clear picture of what life is all about in 2018!
Binge-watch:
Who would have thought it, but yes binge-watch is now an acceptable part of the English language. If you haven’t watched numerous episodes of your favourite TV shows in quick succession, then you have not lived and you have a ton of ‘binge-watching’ (also acceptable) to do still!
Beerfest:
If this does not give you an indication of social life in 2018, then I’m not sure what will. As the word suggests a Beerfest is an event in which beer is celebrated, shared and available for purchase in various forms – whether different brews or from various regions. Beerfest has just been added to the Oxford dictionary!
Facebook (as a verb):
‘I’ll Facebook you’ is now a legitimate phrase recognised by the people at Oxford. It refers to the act of spending time on this social network. No longer just a noun, Facebook is now an acceptable action for this behaviour!
G-Funk:
G-funk is short for Gangsta-funk, a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from West Coast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. Took a while, but this finally achieved dictionary status in June this year!
Teenagehood:
It’s by time that this group get their own hood! I mean, parenthood and childhood have been around for decades, so finally, teenagehood is here! In fact, teenagery was also added to the new edition.
Whataboutery:
Such a fun word yet such a ‘not fun’ definition! This refers to protesting at hypocrisy; responding to criticism by accusing one’s opponent of similar or worse faults. Whataboutism was also included!
Walkative
Everything about this word seems wrong but I guess if you can be talkative then surely you can be walkative too!
Zenned-out
Deeper than just zoning out, to be zenned-out is a much more powerful experience. It refers to that feeling of zen and calm.
With over 900 new entries to the Oxford Dictionary, these are just some of our favourites. Why not try using one of these new words today and bring a smile to someone’s face!
TC Editorial Services 