fail watching noun [U]
UK /ˈfeɪl ˌwɒtʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈfeɪl ˌwɑːtʃ.ɪŋ/
a workplace trend where an employee tries to spot colleagues making mistakes, normally because it makes them feel better about their own abilities or performance

The new workplace buzzword “fail watching” is on the rise: watching out for colleagues’ mistakes, sometimes with an unfortunate sense of satisfaction, as it can make people feel better about their own circumstances … It’s important to recognize this behaviour and address it early, as it could escalate into more serious issues like workplace bullying if not caught from the beginning.
[goodmenproject.com, 7 December 2025]

lily padding noun [U]
/ˈlɪl.i ˌpæd.ɪŋ/
the career strategy of moving from one short-term job to another in order to gain specific skills and experience

You’re probably sick of hearing about it, but yes, the UK job market is tough right now. And now it seems “lily padding” is the latest career trend to come out of this difficult working situation. “Lily padding” is when you strategically climb the career ladder, focusing on building experience over seeking a higher salary. It’s about supercharging your employability.
[huffingtonpost.co.uk, 6 December 2025]

microshifting noun [U]
UK /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ.ʃɪf.tɪŋ/ US /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.ʃɪf.tɪŋ/
the practice of breaking the working day into short blocks of time so that work can be fitted around other activities

Microshifting describes a workday broken into multiple short, flexible “bursts” of focused effort, often around 45 to 90 minutes, separated by stretches of personal time, family duties, or rest. Rather than clocking a continuous 9‑to‑5, a worker might log on at dawn, disappear for school drop‑off or a gym class, and return for another block in the late morning before finishing tasks in the evening.​
[fortune.com, 13 January 2026]

About new words

Norwegian life-cleaning noun [U]
UK /nɔːˌwiː.dʒən ˈlaɪf ˌkliː.nɪŋ/ US /nɔːrˌwiː.dʒən ˈlaɪf ˌkliː.nɪŋ/
the practice of gradually reducing your possessions as you get older to make your life more comfortable and make it easier for your family later

The aim of Norwegian life-cleaning is to take care of your home’s decluttering before you reach the end of your life, so you can enjoy a streamlined space for years to come, and prevent burdening your loved ones with decluttering your belongings later. However, it doesn’t matter if you’re young or old – Norwegian life-cleaning is really suitable for any person, in any phase of life.
[homesandgardens.com, 23 April 2025]

house burping noun [U]
UK /ˈhaʊs ˌbɜːpɪŋ/ US /ˈhaʊs ˌbɝːpɪŋ/
the practice of opening windows and doors for a short time, even in cold weather, to let fresh air in

House burping, a new home health trend, is the term for opening windows for 10 to 15 minutes to let fresh air in, even during the coldest months of the year. The trend is currently making rounds on TikTok, with one video shared earlier this month showing a woman opening the front door of her home, reminding people to “burp” their houses for five to 10 minutes a day.
[independent.co.uk, 23 January 2026]

zero-bills home noun [C]
UK /ˌzɪə.rəʊ.bɪlz ˈhəʊm/ US /ˌzɪr.oʊ.bɪlz ˈhoʊm/
a home that has been fitted with insulation, solar panels etc. so that it produces as much energy as it consumes and the householder does not receive any gas or electricity bills

Many people in the UK are taking advantage of private schemes to reduce their energy bills, buying “zero-bills homes” not only to reduce their energy bills, but remove them entirely … The switch to a zero-bills home doesn’t necessarily come cheap, though. Depending on the size of the houses, and if any of the accessories are pre-installed, the average cost of technology and installation can range from £5,000 to £20,000.
[theweek.com, 21 January 2026]

About new words

treatonomics noun [U]
UK /ˌtriːtəˈnɒm.ɪks/ US /ˌtriːtəˈnɑː.mɪks/
an economic trend where people buy small, inexpensive treats during times when living costs are high and they cannot afford bigger purchases

Maybe it’s that fancy latte, a piece of dark chocolate, or a $5 snack you didn’t need but wanted. That little indulgence feels like a reward, a reset, and a reminder that joy can come in small doses. That’s treatonomics. “Treatonomics” is a consumer trend and marketing term for spending on small, affordable luxuries or experiences to gain a mood boost and combat economic anxiety.
[sunsplashmediagroup.com, 27 September 2025]

exfluencer noun [C]
UK /ˈeks.flu.ən.səʳ/ US /ˈeks.flu.ən.sɚ/
a former influencer who has stopped creating online content and promoting products on social media, and now lives a more private life

The first half of the 2020s brought an influx of people making a living recording their lives as social media influencers, but the initial descent of the decade will be distinguished by a new phenomenon: the exfluencer. The constant grind of that life has already led some prominent people to hang up their hats (or tripods) for greener pastures.
[nytimes.com, 31 December 2025]

shoppertainment noun [U]
UK /ˌʃɒp.ə.ˈteɪn.mənt/ US /ˌʃɑː.pɚˈteɪn.mənt/
a marketing approach that combines activities such as livestreams and interactive content with the process of selling products, to make shopping a fun and enjoyable experience for the consumer

Several brands are already making shoppertainment a reality. Sephora’s Virtual Artist app, for instance, allows customers to try on makeup virtually, making beauty shopping both personal and interactive. Lego’s in-store build stations engage children in creative play while their parents shop, making it a family-friendly experience.
[medium.com, 20 March 2025]

About new words

clip farming noun [U]
UK /ˈklɪp ˌfɑː.mɪŋ/ US /ˈklɪp ˌfɑːr.mɪŋ/
the act of deliberately doing or saying something shocking or dramatic in a video on social media with the aim of producing short videos that are then widely shared online

Clip farming is a debated tactic in the streaming world that is used as a growth hack for creators. At its core, clip farming is when a streamer does or says something intentionally outrageous, funny, or shocking on stream—just to get clipped and shared. It’s like clickbait, but live.
[streamlabs.com, 11 July 2025]

nuisance streamer noun [C]
UK /ˈnjuː.sᵊns ˌstriː.məʳ/ US /ˈnuː.sᵊns ˌstriː.mɚ/
a live streamer who deliberately annoys people or causes trouble in public or online in order to attract viewers and followers

The stance is growing increasingly common across East and Southeast Asia: When it comes to nuisance streamers — online personalities who livestream their travels, often leaning on transgressive behavior as a means of creating viral content — criminal behavior is being met not with slaps on the wrist or expedited deportation but with serious legal consequences.
[japantimes.co.jp, 27 December 2025]

dark social noun [U]
UK /ˌdɑːk ˈsəʊ.ʃəl/ US /ˌdɑːrk ˈsoʊ.ʃəl/
the sharing of content privately online rather than on public social media platforms, making it difficult to track where the content has come from

Public likes and comments are fading while private chats are exploding. This quiet migration has a name: dark social. Dark social isn’t as sinister as it sounds. It’s simply the collective term for private or semi-private channels where people pass links, screenshots, memes, and recommendations.
[thedigitalage.co.uk, 26 September 2025]

About new words

FOBO noun [U]
UK /ˈfəʊ.bəʊ/ US /ˈfoʊ.boʊ/
abbreviation for “fear of becoming obsolete”: a worried feeling that you may lose your job because your role can be done by AI

Rapid AI advances present an alluring opportunity for businesses to boost productivity and efficiency. But while CEOs battle their FOMO and race to adopt the new technology, their employees are experiencing a different side of the AI revolution — FOBO, the fear of becoming obsolete. It refers to workers’ fears that the speed of artificial-intelligence development is outpacing the reskilling of employees, leaving them redundant in the workplace.
[businessinsider.com, 27 January 2025]

See also FOMO

vibe revenue noun [U]
UK /ˈvaɪb ˌrev.ᵊn.juː/ US /ˈvaɪb ˌrev.ə.nuː/
money or funding that an AI company is given because people are excited about the potential of AI, rather than because the company’s products are already successful

His concerns were mirrored by the CEO of Picsart, who highlighted that many AI startups are attracting substantial funding without generating significant revenue. He referred to this trend as companies being valued based on “vibe revenue”, a term describing speculative investment rather than solid sales figures.
[benzatine.com, 13 November 2025]

bragawatts noun [plural]
UK /ˈbræg.ə.wɒts/ US /ˈbræg.ə.wɑːts/
the practice of AI companies boasting about very large projects to create excitement and attract investment, even though many of these projects are never completed

Given the practical problems and enormous costs AI data centres face, is the whole movement really one big bubble? One speaker at a recent conference coined the term “bragawatts” to describe how the industry is talking up the scale of proposed AI sites. “The current trajectory is very difficult to believe. There has certainly been a lot of bragging going on. But investment has to deliver a return or the market will correct itself.”
[bbc.co.uk/news, 23 September 2025]

About new words

bio-baiting noun [U]
UK /ˈbaɪ.əʊ.beɪtɪŋ/ US /ˈbaɪ.oʊ.beɪtɪŋ/
writing an online dating profile that makes you seem much more interesting, attractive etc. than you really are

Like catfishing, bio-baiting involves a bit of deception – but this time it’s all about overselling your dating app bio in ways that don’t quite hold up in real life. A poll found that nearly 63 per cent admitted to feeling let down after meeting someone who didn’t live up to their carefully polished dating app profile. Ultimately, the best defence against bio-baiting is to move the conversation off the app and into real life quickly.
[indy100.com, 26 September 2025]

See also catfishing

chatfishing noun [U]
/ˈtʃæt.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/
using AI tools to write messages to other people on dating apps

It’s a well-worn adage of the Internet age: people often aren’t what they seem to be online. But until recently, you could at least be assured that they were people. Now, though, “chatfishing,” a new wave of online deception, is taking over dating apps. Instead of “catfishing”—using an entirely fake identity—people are using artificial intelligence to help them chat up prospective love interests and secure dates.
[scientificamerican.com, 22 October 2025]

grim-keeping noun [U]
/ˈgrɪm.kiːpɪŋ/
forming a relationship with someone based on disliking the same things

Grim-keeping flips the script on dating compatibility. Forget matching over favorite TV shows or whether you both like long walks on the beach. This trend is about uniting over the stuff you can’t stand. From universally annoying habits to oddly specific gripes, grim-keeping makes negativity the new love language.
[huffingtonpost.co.uk, 30 October 2025]

About new words

readaway noun [C]
/ˈriːd.ə.weɪ/
a short holiday where the main activity is reading and talking about books

Weekends away have had an intellectual upgrade, where small groups of friends are now heading off for the purpose of reading and discussing literature. The Unpack 2026 report, revealing the top travel trends for the year ahead, shows “readaways” – a weekend getaway focused on reading, relaxing and quality time, is the next big thing in travel.
[thepost.co.nz, 15 October 2025]

thrift tripping noun [U]
/ˈθrɪft ˌtrɪpɪŋ/
the act of planning a holiday around visiting vintage shops, flea markets etc. to buy second-hand clothes and other items

Google search data reveals demand for market tours increased 61% over the past year, whilst location-specific vintage shopping queries have exploded. The trend, dubbed “thrift tripping,” sees travellers specifically planning destinations around vintage shops, flea markets and thrift stores.
[globetrender.com, 10 September 2025]

salvaged stay noun [C]
/ˈsæl.vɪdʒd ˌsteɪ/
an old building that has been converted from its original purpose into a hotel

“Travellers are craving more than just a place to sleep; they want a story to tell,” explains Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Expedia Group. “Salvaged stays are the perfect blend of character, culture and comfort. This year alone I’ve stayed in an old post office, a prison and a warehouse – the past definitely has a future in hospitality.”
[countryliving.com, 21 October 2025]

About new words