frequency patch noun [C]
/ˈfriː.kwən.si.pætʃ/
a small piece of material that can be stuck to the skin, from which particular substances can be absorbed into the body that are said to help with tiredness and some illnesses

Kritzer and her team draw on an alternative healing method called “frequency patches” … that operate under the belief that our bodies work best when we’re vibrating at a specific internal frequency — a sweet spot in the neighborhood of 62-72Hz. The stickers are “programmed” to mimic this optimum level, and Kritzter says you can “replenish any deficiencies” and raise your “vibration to the perfect frequency” by wearing them for a month.
[www.sportluxe.com, 3 November 2016]

heartilage piercing noun [C]
UK /ˈhɑː.tᵊl.ɪdʒ.ˌpɪə.sɪŋ/ US /ˈhɑːr.t̬ᵊl.ɪdʒ.ˌpɪr.sɪŋ/
a hole made in the cartilage of the top of the ear so that a heart-shaped earring can be worn

There’s no denying that it’s difficult to design a unique yet chic cartilage earring simply because of the sensitivity and location on the ear, but a piercing legend in New York City … simply removed the bead from his client’s cartilage ring, turned in the metal ends, and shaped the piercing into a heart. Robbie’s creativity with the heartilage piercing might have been inspired by his frequent heart daith piercings, the innermost area of cartilage, which he often pierces with a beaded heart ring.
[www.popsugar.com, 9 March 2017]

helix tattoo noun [C]
/ˈhiː.lɪks.tætˈuː/
a tattoo on the top of the outer ridge of the ear

 All over Instagram, people are proudly showcasing a snazzy new tattooing trend: the helix tattoo. As its name suggests, this trend is simply getting a tattoo on the ear’s upper-outer curve. It’s going big recently thanks to Seoul-based tattoo artist Zihee, who’s been creating all kinds of delicate, nature-inspired designs on people’s ears.
[Metro, 26 April 2017]

About new words

rooftopper noun [C]
UK /ˈruːf.tɒp.əʳ/ US /ˈruːf.tɑːpɚ/
someone who climbs onto the roof of a high building to take photographs, often putting themselves in physical danger

This is the heart stopping moment a daredevil rooftopper climbs a New York skyscraper. The dizzying snaps show stunning scenes across the Big Apple from high up on the top of the concrete jungle’s landmark skyscrapers.
[www.storytrender.com, 29 March 2017]

experience economy noun [U]
UK /ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns.iˈkɒn.ə.mi/ US /ɪkˈspɪr.i.əns.iˈkɑː.nə.mi/
an economic system that is based on people doing things, such as taking part in sporting activities and visiting places, rather than buying things

A series of studies is revealing strange things about our spending habits. They call it the “experience economy”, which gives it the sense of a grand theory. And there is science behind it, but it’s also very simple: regardless of political uncertainty, austerity and inflation, we are spending more on doing stuff, choosing instead to cut back on buying stuff.
[The Guardian, 13 May 2017]

tombstone tourist noun [C]
UK /ˈtuːm.stəʊn.ˈtʊə.rɪ.st/ US /ˈtuːm.stoʊn.ˈtʊr.ɪ.st/
someone who visits the graves of famous people for enjoyment

Visiting a graveyard for enjoyment is not everyone’s cup of tea. But tombstone tourists – or “taphophiles” – are increasingly to be found wandering through cemeteries, examining headstones, and generally enjoying the sombre atmosphere. 
[www.bbc.co.uk/news, 7 May 2017]

About new words

procrastination nanny noun [C]
UK /prəˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃᵊn.næn.i/ US /proʊˌkræs.tɪˈneɪ.ʃᵊn.næn.i/
a person whose job is to encourage you to do tasks that you have been putting off

Speaking of acting like children, the latest Stateside trend is to get yourself a ‘procrastination nanny’ aka a professional motivator who sits with you and keeps you on track with tasks that you might not feel like doing. Oh grow up and get on with it, I say!
[barbaradaleyhair.co.uk, 1 May 2017]

air nanny noun [C]
UK /ˈeəʳ.næn.i/ US /ˈer.næn.i/
a woman whose job is to take care of a particular family’s children during a flight

The air nanny will do everything for the children from keeping them entertained to making the flight pass smoothly, to preparing the child/children for bed and sleep. Air nannies will ultimately make the flight enjoyable for the entire family. And frankly, who in their right mind wouldn’t want that?
[www.edenprivatestaff.com, 1 April 2017]

nanny cam noun [C]
/ˈnæn.i.kæm/
a camera hidden in a home that films the activities of the people employed to look after the children

Some nanny cams don’t look like cameras at all. They are meant to go undetected. Some nanny cams look like teddy bears while others look like cameras and are meant to be placed in a household object to hide it.
[asecurelife.com, 3 February 2017]

About new words

avocado hand noun [U]
UK /ˌæv.əˈkɑː.dəʊ.hænd/ US /ˌæv.əˈkɑː.doʊ.hænd/
an injury that results when you use a knife to try to remove the stone from an avocado and cut your hand instead

Simon Eccles, secretary of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, explained how he now treats up to four people a week for avocado hand. When slippery fruit meets sharp knife and hard stone, intricate surgery is often required to mend the deep lacerations.
[The Telegraph, 15 May 2017]

Q noun [U]
/kjuː/
a chewy texture typical of food from Taiwan

Q is a springy, chewy texture … it’s a cornerstone of Taiwanese cooking so revered it appears repeatedly throughout the day in dishes both sweet and savory, hot and cold, and even in drinks.
[www.roadsandkingdoms.com, May 2017]

runch noun [C]
/rʌntʃ/
a run that you do for exercise during your lunch break

For many trail runners, “runch” is the most important meal of the day. Running at lunch provides a predictable window of opportunity to conquer some miles. Most office jobs involve about an hour of lunch, which is enough time to get a solid aerobic stimulus before sitting in front of a computer for a few more hours.
[www.trailrunnermag.com, 16 May 2017]

About new words

guideshop noun [C]
UK /ˈgaɪd.ʃɒp/ US /ˈgaɪd.ʃɑːp/
a shop where customers can see and try products then order them to be delivered to their home, but which does not stock them for sale

By letting customers try out products but not stocking apparel for sale, Bonobos can cut costs with smaller stores, offer a wider selection of styles and fits, and focus on customer service rather than inventory management, Dunn said. He declined to comment on the company’s growth or revenues but said the guideshops are profitable.
[Chicago Tribune, 20 April 2016]

retailtainment noun [U]
/ˌriː.teɪlˈteɪn.mənt/
the use of sound, lighting and entertaining activities to encourage shoppers to buy things

Chinese shoppers can expect to see more emphasis on retailtainment that falls into the health and fitness category, reflecting a growing consumer interest in healthy lifestyles. Not only does this mean malls are likely to make space for more sport facilities, but also that developers will set aside retail space for niche brands trying to make it into the China market.
[www.luxurysociety.com, 3 February 2017]

community mall noun [C]
UK /kəˈmjuː.nə.ti.mɔːl/ US /kəˈmjuː.nə.t̬i.mɑːl/
a small, open-air shopping mall, usually with plants, trees and an outdoor seating area

There are at least two dozen “community malls” in Bangkok, often opened by small businesses … rather than the development giants whose outlets attract the likes of Prada, Cartier and Gucci. They also target a specific demographic, even if they are technically open to all.
[The Guardian, 3 April 2017]

About new words