pebbling noun [U]
/ˈpeb.ᵊl.ɪŋ/
the activity of giving someone small gifts or sending them memes, photos, or videos on social media to show you love them

Now, it seems, humans are taking a page from the Antarctic animals, as a trend known as “pebbling” takes hold. How it works: A thoughtful lover gives their significant other some sort of gift, whether it be a cup of coffee or a sweet viral video, to brighten their day. “Pebbling started with the advent of meme sending as a form of creating a connection with people,” [said] Gigi Engle, a relationship expert and psychotherapist.
[nypost.com, 8 June 2024]

trendbait noun [U]
/ˈtrend.beɪt/
a new term or concept created to attract attention on social media platforms and start a trend

Trendbait describes the influx of slang for slang’s sake, where people create slang terms or new phrases in the hopes of going viral … Trendbait leans into internet FOMO – the fear of missing out. It helps generate language which bonds niche communities on the internet. And, where relevant, brands can lean into this language to connect with their target audience.
[brandwatch.com, 6 June 2023]

See also clickbait

anti-fan noun [C]
/ˈæn.tɪ.fæn/
someone who posts a lot of negative comments about a famous person on social media websites

We hear a lot these days about young people’s infatuation with influencers … But we almost never hear about an arguably more dedicated group: their anti-fans. These are the people who unite around a shared hatred of particular social media stars. They post on sites which host many forums where anti-fans post biting criticism of influencers’ appearance, weight and lifestyle, calling them bad mothers or suggesting their partners have cheated.
[theguardian.com, 27 Febuary 2024]

About new words

hypertourism noun [U]
UK /ˌhaɪ.pəˈtʊə.rɪ.zᵊm/ US /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈtʊr.ɪ.zᵊm/
the situation when an extremely large number of people visit a place on holiday, so that the place is spoiled and life is made very difficult for the people who live there

While on the one hand many hundreds of people have found decent jobs in the tourism sector, on the other hand the most delicate parts of the ancient island of Zanzibar are suffering from the deplorable phenomenon of hypertourism which, for example, is suffocating the small pristine sand islands used as a base for observations of marine fauna and diving.
[ytali.com, 14 February 2024]

See also overtourism

hush trip noun [C]
/ˈhʌʃ ˌtrɪp/
a journey taken by an employee who then works remotely at the place they are visiting without telling their employer they are doing so

Last summer, the site surveyed 918 GenZers remote and hybrid workers and 44% revealed that they have taken a hush trip. About 65% used a virtual background to bamboozle their employers. The majority were able to get away with their trip without their bosses finding out
[forbes.com, 15 May 2024]

airport dad noun [C]
UK /ˌeə.pɔːt ˈdæd/ US /ˌer.pɔːrt ˈdæd/
the father of a family who takes charge of organizing a holiday and likes to arrive at the airport very early, or anyone who behaves in this way when travelling with a group

The term “airport dad” originated on TikTok when kids began documenting their actual fathers while traveling. Over time, the term has expanded to be used to describe anyone who likes to be in charge of the travel day. There are a few ways to identify an “airport dad”: Do they have boarding passes ready to go and seats checked in for all members of their travel party? Did they arrive early to the airport to sit at the gate “just in case”? Did they double-check that all packed bags were under the weight limit?
[yahoo.com, 13 October 2023]

About new words

warmdrobe noun [C]
UK /ˈwɔːm.drəʊb/ US /ˈwɔːrm.droʊb/
a collection of warm clothes to wear in cold weather

Finessing the art of cold weather dressing in winter is hard work, but a warmdrobe will make it decidedly easier. The key to a warmdrobe – a wardrobe curated specifically for bitterly cold times such as these – lies in tri- and quad-layering. This is the practice of acquiring pieces that need as little thought as possible because you know you can rely on them to do all of the heavy lifting for you.
[stylist.co.uk, January 2024]

method dressing noun [U]
UK /ˈmeθ.əd ˌdres.ɪŋ/ US /ˈmeθ.əd ˌdres.ɪŋ/
a trend where an actor dresses in the same way as the character they played in a film at events where they are promoting that film

When attending official ceremonies, festivals, or film promotions, actresses still impersonate their characters outside the film set. That new marketing technique combining fashion and performance is known as method dressing. We just have to look back at the big promotional marathon for Dune Part II to witness first-hand the role of method dressing as a marketing strategy. That evening, Zendaya and Florence Pugh opted for two opposite looks that matched their characters in Denis Villeneuve’s film.
[cosmopolitan.com, 26 April 2024]

See also method acting

movement director noun [C]
UK /ˈmuːv.mənt dɪˌrek.təʳ/ US /ˈmuːv.mənt dɪˌrek.tɚ/
someone who creates sequences of movements for fashion models to perform on the catwalk

Though the Poland-born creative has been collaborating with Galliano and the Margiela in-house team since 2018, in addition to working closely with other major brands like Versace and Tom Ford, his journey to becoming one of the most sought-after movement directors today has been nothing short of intriguing, with notable stints in dance, acting and modelling.
[vogue.co.uk, 20 March 2024]

About new words

street scar noun [C]
UK /ˈstriːt ˌskɑːʳ/ US /ˈstriːt ˌskɑːr/
a patch of asphalt used to repair a road that is not the same colour, or sometimes the same material, as the road underneath it

Telecoms and water companies are creating “street scars” in a “wasteful process” that is marring British high streets, Nicholas Boys Smith has said in a report. He uses the term “street scars” to describe black or grey patches of tarmac that disfigure the paving of streets and pavements, examples of which can be seen all over the UK.
[theguardian.com, 9 February 2024]

gentle density noun [U]
UK /ˌdʒen.təl ˈden.sɪ.ti/ US /ˌdʒen.t̬əl ˈden.sə.t̬i/
a type of urban development that focuses on building small apartment blocks and houses for one family so that the number of people living in that area does not increase severely and suddenly

High-rise towers and large-scale developments are often associated with high density. However, gentle density takes a different approach by integrating with the existing form and character of single-detached home neighborhoods. This design is not imposing and blends in with the surrounding area.
[urbanlogiq.com, 19 April 2023]

grey belt noun [C usually S]
UK /ˈgreɪ ˌbelt/ US /ˈgreɪ ˌbelt/
areas of land around a city or town that contain unused buildings, car parks etc. and that could be used to build houses

The Labour Party has announced a housing initiative to build 1.5mn houses on the UK’s “grey belt”. This plan aims to address the UK’s current housing crisis by releasing grey belt land for development. Explaining the initiative, the Labour Party stated: “When people talk about the green belt, most people think about hills and countryside but actually some green belt land includes poor quality land, car parks, and wasteland.”
[ftadviser.com, 22 April 2024]

See also green belt

About new words

applejuicification noun [U]
UK /ˌæp.ᵊl.dʒuː.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌæp.ᵊl.dʒuː.sə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the use of apple juice as the main ingredient in drinks that contain several different fruit juices, especially when this is not made clear in the name or on the packaging

Last week, an X user shocked the internet in a viral thread by pointing out that most mixed juices and smoothies are mainly made from apples. The post looked at 13 juices in a supermarket aisle, noting that the majority were made with 50% apple juice or more, despite not having any apple in the name. It was described as “applejuiceification and the illusion of choice”.
[theguardian.com, 1 April 2024]

dirty soda noun [C]
UK /ˌdɜː.ti ˈsəʊ.də/ US /ˌdɝː.t̬i ˈsoʊ.də/
a sweet, fizzy, non-alcoholic drink, such as cola or lemonade, mixed with cream and other flavourings such as syrups and fruit juice

The latest phenomenon in the beverage world, dirty sodas refer to soft drinks “made dirty” by the addition of flavor-boosting ingredients such as cream, flavored syrups, or fruit juices … Dirty soda “how-to” videos have become standard fare on TikTok of late, and last year the dirty soda concept went mainstream when Sonic Drive-Ins began offering “Dirty Drinks” laced with cream and flavored syrups.
[masslive.com, 8 April 2024]

WaterTok noun [U]
UK /ˈwɔː.tə.ˌtɒk/ US /ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ.ˌtɑːk/
a community on the social media service TikTok where people post videos of recipes for water mixed with different flavoured ingredients

Welcome to “WaterTok,” one of the latest trends taking over timelines. People are creating cocktails of flavored syrups, powder packets, ice, and, obviously, water (traditionally in their large Stanley cups) in an effort to boost their daily water intake.
[fastcompany.com, 11 April 2024]

About new words

brokefishing noun [U]
UK /ˈbrəʊk.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈbroʊk.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/
the practice of pretending to have less money than you really do, in order to trick another person into buying things for you

It turned out that Siobhan had fallen victim to a trend for a misrepresentation of money – sometimes called “brokefishing” – that has been rising as the cost of living continues to bite. You’ll know the perpetrators as the friends who make an empty promise to pick up brunch “next time”. A new riff on catfishing, this is where someone paints a misleading picture of their monetary situation in order to coax you into providing from your own coffers.
[womenshealthmag.com, 6 April 2024]

See also catfishing

tip creep noun [U]
/ˈtɪp ˌkriːp/
the fact that the practice of tipping is gradually spreading to many more services and industries

But ever since the pandemic, during which consumers placed an increased emphasis on supporting essential service workers and establishments, so-called tip creep has begun to invade even the most mundane transactions. Places that normally wouldn’t, like self-checkouts, are now asking for an added dollar or two, usually behind a nondescript digital screen that ultimately shames more than it encourages.
[theweek.com, 19 May 2023]

cheapflation noun [U]
/tʃiːpˈfleɪ.ʃᵊn/
the situation when the price of a product stays the same or increases but its main ingredient is present in a smaller amount or lower quality

A number of major brands stocking chocolate, sauces, fish, meat, and other products in France have been accused of “cheapflation” by a leading consumer watchdog. Under “cheapflation” the amount of a product’s ingredient (sometimes the main part) decreases significantly, or is replaced with a lower quality, cheaper and often unhealthier alternative. At the same time, however, the price of the product increases.
[connexionfrance.com, 7 February 2024]

See also shrinkflation, ripflation, skimpflation, greedflation

About new words

reindeer noir noun [U]
UK /ˌreɪn.dɪə ˈnwɑːʳ/ US /ˌreɪn.dɪr ˈnwɑːr/
crime stories and films set in Lapland

“Reindeer noir” intertwines traditional Nordic noir elements such as dark and brooding atmospheres, complex characters, and intricate mysteries with the unique cultural aspects of Lapland. This fusion creates a distinct sub-genre that explores crime and societal issues in a setting rarely seen in mainstream noir fiction.
[quora.com, 15 December 2023]

See also Nordic noir

romantasy noun [U, C]
UK /rəʊˈmæn.tə.si/ US /roʊˈmæn.tə.si/
a type of fiction that combines elements of romance and fantasy

The American novelist is among a new generation of uber-bestselling authors writing “romantasy”, a portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy” applied to novels that blend elements of both genres … Romantasy authors are selling well in part because of their huge popularity on social media; Maas’ publisher, Bloomsbury, says that videos with hashtags connected to her books have more than 14bn views on TikTok alone.
[theguardian.com, 2 February 2024]

lostwave noun [U]
UK /ˈlɒst.weɪv/ US /ˈlɑːst.weɪv/
songs and other music whose title and composer are now unknown

Lostwave is the term for music and songs that exist, but are totally lost to time. Lostwave is discovered when people post a song to the internet asking for a name, only to find out that no one knows what song it is. That generally kicks off a major search from the lostwave community to find out what the name of the song is.
[ossiana.substack.com, 12 December 2023]

About new words

DINKWAD noun [C]
UK /ˈdɪŋk.wɒd/ US /ˈdɪŋk.wɑːd/
ABBREVIATION FOR dual income, no kids, with a dog: a member of a young couple in which both partners earn a lot of money and have a dog but no children

“The allure of the DINKWAD lifestyle is solely based on financial and personal freedom from any responsibility,” Ahmed said. Instead, Benfield and Ahmed love to travel, and are both passionate about not having children. They have a beloved rescue mutt named Yvie instead.
[businessinsider.com, 4 February 2023]

See also DINK

guppie noun [C]
/ˈɡʌp.i/
ABBREVIATION FOR given up on property: a young person who has given up on the idea of ever being able to buy their own home

Meet the “guppie”, the yuppie’s descendant. He or she is a young adult on an above average salary (£33,000 for people in full-time work) who has either given up on ever owning a home or accepted that they will have to give up dinners out, holidays and pretty much everything else in order to do so.
[inews.co.uk, 11 August 2023]

See also yuppie

HENRY noun [C]
/ˈhen.ri/
ABBREVIATION FOR high earner, not rich yet: someone who earns a lot of money but has few savings or other assets

Are you among a growing group of people in the U.S. who have a high household income, yet your savings never seem to grow significantly year after year? Believe it or not, there’s a name for that: HENRY. HENRY stands for “High Earner, Not Rich Yet,” and refers to anyone with a high income but low net worth. For HENRYs, it can be frustrating to feel like they’re not getting ahead, even if their income is well above the average.
[wealthkeel.com, 15 December 2023]

About new words

neobank noun [C]
UK /ˈniː.əʊˌbæŋk/ US /ˈniː.oʊˌbæŋk/
a type of bank that provides only online banking services and has no physical branches

Neobanks work similarly to traditional banks and offer the same types of services, yet they perform all available functions online or through a mobile app. Neobanks may also partner with chartered banks to offer their customers FDIC insurance and additional benefits, but those considering a neobank should check to make sure.
cnn.com, 4 March 2024

time bank noun [C]
/ˈtaɪm ˌbæŋk/
a system where the unit of currency is one hour of someone’s time, with the people using the bank exchanging services and skills

A time bank functions much like traditional currency but with a unique twist: it’s measured in hours, not dollars. Every hour spent helping others earns one credit – every hour holds equal value, irrespective of the service provided. It’s a system that stitches communities together by recognizing and honoring the contributions of all participants.
[givingtuesday.org, 5 November 2023]

multibank noun [C]
/ˈmʌl.tiˌbæŋk/
a place where essential items such as food, clothing, toiletries and household goods are given to people who don’t have enough money to buy them

First established 14 months ago in Scotland and since March in Manchester, four new multibanks are set to launch in 2024 including in London, the Midlands and Wales, with the idea that there will be multibanks in different parts of the country by the end of next year.
[standard.co.uk, 19 December 2023]

About new words