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by Liz Walter
Today’s post is the first of a pair looking at some of the very many phrases that contain the word ‘end’. The noun end has two main meanings. The first is the part of something that is furthest away from the centre. Today’s post looks at phrases where ‘end’ relates to this meaning. Continue reading “Jumping in at the deep end: phrases with ‘end’”
broccoli perm noun [C]
UK /ˈbrɒk.ᵊl.i ˌpɜːm/ US /ˈbrɑː.kᵊl.i ˌpɝːm/
a hairstyle where the back and sides are short but the top is longer and curly
The first images from the movie’s set showed that Kent’s new look consists of voluminous curls on top, with short, discreet sides — a style that is now being referred to as the “broccoli perm.” From TikTok to bros, and from bros to the streets, today, the broccoli perm is everywhere. Or at least, everywhere there are kids under the age of 20.
[english.elpais.com, 17 January 2025]
bixie noun [C]
/ˈbɪk.si/
a hairstyle that is a cross between a bob and a pixie cut
The bixie is exactly what it sounds like. Half-bob, half-pixie, the vibe is casual and undone, like a grown-out pixie cut, or a choppier, more mussed-up bob. Pixie Geldof has the most perfect bixie cut, in my opinion (hers used to be a pixie, but she let it grow out).
[vogue.co.uk, 13 June 2025]
mullet gardening noun [U]
UK /ˈmʌl.ɪt ˌgɑː.dᵊn.ɪŋ/ US /ˈmʌl.ɪt ˌgɑːr.dᵊn.ɪŋ/
an approach to gardening that leaves the front part well-maintained and neat while allowing the back to grow wild, in a similar way to the mullet hairstyle
Meet mullet gardening: tidy at the front, wild at the back. This approach to the management of borders, lawns and even entire gardens puts wildlife at the forefront while saving you effort – here’s how it works and why you should try it in your garden.
[rhs.org.uk, 18 July 2025]
Listen to the author reading this blog post.
My last post looked at the language that we use to describe people and animals who are physically strong and weak. Today’s post focuses on words for things that are strong and weak. Continue reading “Sturdy or flimsy? (Words for strong and weak things)”
quadrobics noun [U]
UK /kwɒd.ˈrəʊ.bɪks/ US /kwɑːd.ˈroʊ.bɪks/
a type of exercise where a person mimics the movements of four-legged animals, and may sometimes dress up as an animal
Finally, quadrobics can offer much-needed stress relief and escape from the same workout routines. By incorporating this fun, lighthearted but beneficial exercise into fitness regimes, people can maintain motivation by keeping routines feeling fresh while also improving moods through the playfulness of the exercise.
[womenshealthmag.com, 8 January 2025]
See also aerobics
youth molecule noun [C]
UK /ˈjuːθ ˌmɒl.ɪ.kjuːl/ US /ˈjuːθ ˌmɑː.lɪ.kjuːl/
a nickname for NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a substance in the body that helps cells stay healthy and whose levels decline as people get older, which is in turn linked to memory loss and some diseases of old age
NAD+, often called the “youth molecule”, is the “fuel regulator” of our cells, keeping them functioning properly, repairing damaged DNA, and helping the body produce energy, the researchers explain in their review.
[independent.co.uk, 23 September 2025]
wellbeing washing noun [U]
UK /ˈwel.biːɪŋ ˌwɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈwel.biːɪŋ ˌwɑː.ʃɪŋ/
behaviour or activities designed to make people think a company supports the physical and mental health of its employees, when it actually gives them very little real help
A Institution of Occupational Safety and Health study found that 51% of employees believe their employer engages in “wellbeing washing,” offering superficial benefits while ignoring serious issues like excessive workloads and burnout.
[vantagefit.io, 19 May 2025]
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by Liz Walter
Way back in 2015, I wrote a post that touched on some differences between American and British English. Today’s post looks specifically at differences in pronunciation. There are of course many, some (more or less) systematic, and some not. I hope that covering some common words will help to raise awareness of issues to look out for.
Continue reading “You say ‘to-may-to’ and I say ‘to-mah-to’: UK/US pronunciation”
thirstwave noun [C]
UK /ˈθɜːstweɪv/ US /ˈθɝːstweɪv/
a period of hot, dry weather that causes soil and plants to lose a very large amount of water to evaporation
During a thirstwave, the atmosphere essentially goes into overdrive, demanding more moisture than usual. From 1981 to 2021, thirstwaves across the United States averaged 0.8 millimeters per day above normal, lasted about 4 days, and occurred nearly 3 times per growing season.
[earth.com, 14 April 2025]
firewave noun [C]
UK /ˈfaɪəweɪv/ US /ˈfaɪrweɪv/
a series of fires that burn strongly and out of control on an area of grass in a city, usually triggered by very hot weather
Cities across the UK are facing a growing threat from an emerging phenomenon called “firewaves” as temperatures rise due to climate change, scientists have warned. Guillermo Rein, professor of fire science at Imperial College London, has been working alongside the London Fire Brigade to help predict when conditions are ripe for a “firewave”.
[bbc.co.uk, 14 August 2025]
smog wave noun [C]
UK /ˈsmɒg ˌweɪv/ US /ˈsmɑːg ˌweɪv/
a period of extreme and long-lasting air pollution, where a mixture of smoke, gases, and chemicals in the atmosphere make it difficult to breathe and can be harmful for health
Authorities in eastern Pakistan have closed public parks, zoos, museums, historical buildings and playgrounds for 10 days as a record-breaking “smog wave” choked 18 districts of Punjab province, leaving tens of thousands of people ill. Lahore residents went about their lives in a twilight gloom that lingered over the city for hours, reducing visibility to around 100 metres.
[jerseyeveningpost.com, 8 November 2024]
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Today’s post and my next one focus on words for talking about physical strength and its opposite, weakness. This first one looks at words for people (and animals) who are physically strong and physically weak.
Continue reading “Ripped or puny? (Words meaning ‘strong’ and ‘weak’)”
best friend dictionary noun [C]
UK /ˌbest frend ˈdɪk.ʃᵊn.ᵊr.i/ US /ˌbest frend ˈdɪk.ʃᵊn.er.i/
a set of inside jokes and made-up words and phrases used by close friends
You know you’re bonded with your best friend when you develop words and phrases of your own, almost like a secret language. On TikTok, this tradition has been dubbed the “best friend dictionary” and it already has millions of views … The best friend dictionary is iconic, but even more impressive is how quickly everyone partaking in this trend seems to know the definitions.
[bustle.com, 14 May 2024]
friendflation noun [U]
/frendˈfleɪ.ʃᵊn/
the rising cost of going out with friends
Can you put a price on friendship? Apparently you can, and it isn’t cheap. The rising cost of socialising, known as “friendflation”, is “becoming a serious pressure point” for many adult friendships, said The Mirror. “Birthdays aren’t just a few drinks at the pub, they’re weekends away, lavish brunches or fancy dinners”, and “even going for a coffee is nearly a fiver”.
[theweek.com, 1 October 2025]
medium friend noun [C]
/ˈmiː.di.əm ˌfrend/
someone who is closer than an acquaintance but not a very close friend
I personally don’t think that it makes sense to go around calling people medium friends to their face. This term is more about internal taxonomy so that you can name and understand the phenomenon without feeling like you’re the only person experiencing this or feeling bad for it.
[reeswrites.com, 1 June 2025]
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by Liz Walter
Some people seem to sail happily through life, always looking forward to what’s coming next and always expecting things to go well. Others are quite the opposite, always expecting bad things to happen. Today’s post looks at some of the language we use to describe these two extremes.
Continue reading “Glass half full: talking about optimism and pessimism”
hopecore noun [U]
UK /ˈhəʊp.kɔːʳ/ US /ˈhoʊp.kɔːr/
a style of online content that features positive, optimistic images and messages, often as a deliberate contrast to the negative content often found on social media
Hopecore; one of the most prominent trends on TikTok during what many see as a dark time both politically and socially. The trend consists of heartwarming videos and inspirational quotes that are laid on top of natural landscapes with calming music. These videos allow viewers to destress from a long day or even escape from the all-consuming “doomscroll.”
[lhsbudget.com, 4 February 2025]
See also -core
newstalgia noun [U]
UK /njuːz.ˈtæl.dʒə/ US /nuːzˈtæl.dʒə/
a trend where old and new ideas and styles are combined to create a comforting, familiar mood that is also up to date and modern
Here’s the thing: brands that win today aren’t just forward-looking—they know when to look back, too. Enter newstalgia: the trend that’s revamping yesterday’s icons to make today’s headlines. While classic nostalgia tries to recreate the past, newstalgia flips it, remixes it, and gives it edge. This is how brands stay culturally relevant, and Gen Z is here for it.
[1milk2sugars.com, 5 November 2024]
boom boom noun [U]
/ˈbuːm ˌbuːm/
a trend in fashion and culture that suggests wealth, glamour and confidence, often inspired by similar trends of the 1980s
Boom boom is glamour and greed, epitomised by a style and mindset reminiscent of the sleazy, money-saturated world of late 80s New York. There is an end-of-empire, end-of-history nihilism to it, a sense of raising another bottle of Moët into the air while the world burns around you. But it’s also about aspiration, panic and the jarring disconnection between the economic climate we want and the one that exists – an experience shared by most.
[theguardian.com, 27 March 2025]