New words – 14 March 2022

an older woman holding her young grandchild
photography by Rick Lowe / Moment / Getty

graternity leave noun [U]
UK /grəˈtɜː.nə.ti ˌliːv/ US /grəˈtɝː.nə.t̬iˌliːv/
a period in which someone is granted paid time off work in order to look after their newborn grandchild

But graternity leave is also acknowledgement of the generational ties that bind, that being a grandparent is an important role and that striking a life-work balance isn’t the sole preserve of the young. Newborns … are notoriously short-term in outlook. Which is why grandma needs time off straight away to bring calm to chaos and grandad can do his bit by taking over the nursery drop-offs for older siblings.
[www.telegraph.co.uk, 9 December 2021]

Dad Thriller noun [C]
UK /ˈdæd ˌθrɪl.əʳ/ US /ˈdæd ˌθrɪl.ɚ/
a genre of Hollywood film made in the 1990s that has an intelligent, exciting plot and is designed to appeal mostly to men in their 30s and 40s

The Dad Thriller draws on courtroom dramas, spy movies, the conspiracy thrillers of the 1970s, and the action blockbusters of the 1980s. The vibe is “action movie you might be able to convince your wife to see because it’s sort of about politics, science, and/or legal stuff.” … The Dad Thriller is adjacent to, but distinct from the blockbuster action, science-fiction, or disaster movie, specifically due to [its] veneer of political or moral sophistication.
[boingboing.net, 17 November 2021]

Zoomer noun [C]
UK /ˈzuːm.əʳ/ US /ˈzuːm.ɚ/
a way of referring to someone who is part of Generation Z, the group of people who were born between the years 1997 and 2015

Since Zoomers grew up during major crises like the financial crisis of 2007, and witnessed how their families struggled with financial hardships, they became aware of the importance of money security. That’s why this generation values savings, smart investment, and stable jobs … All generations always find something to be proud of but it seems that Generation Z is probably the best so far – even if I, as a Zoomer, say so.
[newafricanmagazine.com, 30 June 2021]

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6 thoughts on “New words – 14 March 2022

    1. Hi Marston,

      with COVID-19 a lot of the universities now have looser policies into who they will admit.

      [and a lot fewer students than before COVID-19].

      This is hopeful for you.

      Also there are lots of non-traditional ways to get there.

      I love reading admission stories.

      You will probably meet a lot of students and graduates on this blog and elsewhere.

      [Remember that when you put in your application for Cambridge you cannot go to Oxford, too].

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