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by Liz Walter
On Saturday, 6 May, the UK will see its first coronation (ceremony to make someone king or queen) since 1953, when Queen Elizabeth began her extraordinarily long reign (the time she was queen). This post looks at some of the vocabulary connected with that event. Continue reading “Pomp and pageantry: language for the coronation of King Charles III”
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My last blog post looked at adjectives used to describe things that are unusual or in some way different. In today’s post, I focus on idioms and phrases in this area. Continue reading “Out of the ordinary: ways of saying that something is unusual (2)”
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by Liz Walter
I have recently written two posts on the topic of importance, so this one looks at the opposite: how to say that something isn’t important. Continue reading “There’s bigger fish to fry: talking about things that are not important”
dopamine decor noun [C]
UK /ˌdəʊ.pə.miːn ˈdek.ɔːʳ/ US /ˌdoʊ.pəˌmiːn ˈdeɪˈkɔːr/
the trend of using bright colours and patterns when decorating and furnishing your home to make you happier and improve your mental health
Dopamine decor has been inspired by a catwalk trend where people choose to dress in colourful clothes to enhance their mood. The serotonin soaked concept is now emerging in the interiors world too with home owners choosing bright colours and patterns rich in shape and design to express joy and excitement within the home.
[www.avalanadesign.co.uk, 6 July 2022]
chorebot noun [C]
UK /ˈtʃɔː.bɒt/ US /ˈtʃɔːr.bɑːt/
a robot that is designed to do housework and tasks such as laundry, shopping, etc.
I’ve just read a frankly horrifying report concerning the imminent arrival of so-called “chorebots” designed to automate fully 17 domestic tasks. When I say “imminent”, we’re looking at within a decade, which is soon enough. And when I say domestic tasks, I’m talking about the bot stacking the dishwasher, getting a load in the wash, hanging it on the airer afterwards, doing bits and bobs of grocery shopping, that kind of caper.
[thetimes.co.uk, 4 March 2023]
hipstoric adjective
UK /hɪpˈstɒr.ɪk/ US /hɪpˈstɔːr.ɪk/
a way of decorating your home where old furniture, ornaments etc. are combined with a modern style
A fusion of the words “hip” and “historic,” the newly coined “hipstoric” home decor trend is set to dominate in 2023, according to interior designers … Consumers are casting mass-produced pieces aside in favor of reimagined antiques and vintage finds. Combining old with new, this popular eclectic aesthetic is an easy way to add a unique and personal touch to the home and infuse it with a sense of nostalgia.
[bhg.com, 7 February 2023]
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Today, I’m looking at the various words that we use to describe things that are unusual or in some way different. As usual, I’ll be looking at the subtle differences in meaning between this group of near-synonyms. Continue reading “Quirky and novel: ways of saying that something is unusual (1)”
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by Liz Walter
This is the second of two posts on importance and covers some more aspects of the topic.
I will start with things that are important because of their effect on someone or something else. Someone or something that has the power to affect things can be described as influential. Something that has a great effect on future events is momentous, or – even more emphatically – seismic: Continue reading “Making a song and dance about it: talking about importance (2)”
thrift flipping noun [U]
/ˈθrɪft ˌflɪp.ɪŋ/
the activity of buying second-hand clothes, turning them into new, more attractive items and sometimes selling them for a higher price
Thrift flipping, or upcycling thrifted clothing to wear or sell, is a trend that has increased in popularity over the past year. From cutting a shirt to sewing patches onto pants, thrift flipping is a way to rework clothing purchased from a local second-hand shop.
[digmaglb.com, 13 December 2022]
de-influencing noun [U]
/ˌdiːˈɪn.flu.əns.ɪŋ/
the activity of describing certain products on social media and saying why you would not recommend buying them
In recent weeks, a new trend called de-influencing has taken over TikTok … The initial de-influencing videos that began circulating in January featured social media users talking about the viral products they wouldn’t recommend to discourage overconsumption. Now that the term de-influencing has become more popular, there are videos under the hashtag for nearly every niche.
[blog.hubspot.com, 16 February 2023]
anti-haul noun [C]
UK /ˈæn.tiˌhɔːl/ US /ˈæn.t̬iˌhɑːl/
a type of social media content where someone describes a number of products that they do not think their followers should buy
The anti-haul is a simple concept; it’s a form of content where instead of recommending a product, one shows their audience products they didn’t like and what didn’t work for them. This originally started from a reddit post, where fellow beauty redditors discussed products that they personally didn’t enjoy. Beauty TikTokers such as Beauty By Tellie shared her thoughts and created an anti-haul of her own.
[nylonmanila.com, 18 November 2022]
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Earlier this month, we published a blog post on idioms used to describe people arguing. Today’s post follows on from that and focuses instead on the nicer area of becoming friends again after an argument. Again, we’re looking at idioms and phrases with this meaning. Continue reading “Keeping the peace and olive branches (Idioms for becoming friends again after an argument)”
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The English language contains a lot of idioms and phrases on the theme of arguing. This post looks at some of the most useful ones. I hope you find it interesting. Continue reading “Crossing swords and sparks flying (Idioms about arguing)”
rage applying noun [U]
/ˈreɪdʒ əˌplaɪ.ɪŋ/
the activity of impulsively applying for several new jobs only because your present job is currently making you unhappy or angry
What can you do instead of rage applying? Spencer says that instead of soothing the panic and anger you’re feeling, rage applying can actually build on that negativity and make you feel even more burnt out. She recommends slowing down and turning inward instead of submitting applications in rapid-fire bursts of anger.
[themuse.com, 6 February 2023]
quiet thriving noun [U]
/ˌkwaɪ.ət ˈθraɪ.vɪŋ/
the activity of making small changes to the way you work to help you feel happier and more fulfilled in your job
If you’re frustrated at work — and who isn’t some of the time — quiet quitting, where you essentially disengage and do the bare minimum, is not the only answer. You can also try “quiet thriving,” which involves taking specific actions and making mental shifts that help you to feel more engaged on the job.
[washingtonpost.com, 14 December 2022]
hustle culture noun [C usually singular]
UK /ˈhʌs.ᵊl ˌkʌl.tʃəʳ/ US /ˈhʌs.ᵊl ˌkʌl.tʃɚ/
the idea that work must be the the most important thing in your life and that working long hours and not taking time off is the only way to achieve success
The rise of hustle culture in recent years was met almost as swiftly with a backlash. Promoters of hustle culture, frequently passionate and engaging, wrote and spoke breathlessly about grinding and hard work … Hustle culture puts work at the center of life. Long working hours are praised and glorified. Time off is seen as laziness. If you are not hustling, you are failing.
[forbes.com, 29 April 2022]