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by Liz Walter
Today’s post is the first of a pair looking at some of the very many phrases that contain the word ‘end’. The noun end has two main meanings. The first is the part of something that is furthest away from the centre. Today’s post looks at phrases where ‘end’ relates to this meaning. Continue reading “Jumping in at the deep end: phrases with ‘end’”
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My last post looked at the language that we use to describe people and animals who are physically strong and weak. Today’s post focuses on words for things that are strong and weak. Continue reading “Sturdy or flimsy? (Words for strong and weak things)”
quadrobics noun [U]
UK /kwɒd.ˈrəʊ.bɪks/ US /kwɑːd.ˈroʊ.bɪks/
a type of exercise where a person mimics the movements of four-legged animals, and may sometimes dress up as an animal
Finally, quadrobics can offer much-needed stress relief and escape from the same workout routines. By incorporating this fun, lighthearted but beneficial exercise into fitness regimes, people can maintain motivation by keeping routines feeling fresh while also improving moods through the playfulness of the exercise.
[womenshealthmag.com, 8 January 2025]
See also aerobics
youth molecule noun [C]
UK /ˈjuːθ ˌmɒl.ɪ.kjuːl/ US /ˈjuːθ ˌmɑː.lɪ.kjuːl/
a nickname for NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a substance in the body that helps cells stay healthy and whose levels decline as people get older, which is in turn linked to memory loss and some diseases of old age
NAD+, often called the “youth molecule”, is the “fuel regulator” of our cells, keeping them functioning properly, repairing damaged DNA, and helping the body produce energy, the researchers explain in their review.
[independent.co.uk, 23 September 2025]
wellbeing washing noun [U]
UK /ˈwel.biːɪŋ ˌwɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈwel.biːɪŋ ˌwɑː.ʃɪŋ/
behaviour or activities designed to make people think a company supports the physical and mental health of its employees, when it actually gives them very little real help
A Institution of Occupational Safety and Health study found that 51% of employees believe their employer engages in “wellbeing washing,” offering superficial benefits while ignoring serious issues like excessive workloads and burnout.
[vantagefit.io, 19 May 2025]
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by Liz Walter
Way back in 2015, I wrote a post that touched on some differences between American and British English. Today’s post looks specifically at differences in pronunciation. There are of course many, some (more or less) systematic, and some not. I hope that covering some common words will help to raise awareness of issues to look out for.
Continue reading “You say ‘to-may-to’ and I say ‘to-mah-to’: UK/US pronunciation”
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Today’s post and my next one focus on words for talking about physical strength and its opposite, weakness. This first one looks at words for people (and animals) who are physically strong and physically weak.
Continue reading “Ripped or puny? (Words meaning ‘strong’ and ‘weak’)”
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by Liz Walter
Some people seem to sail happily through life, always looking forward to what’s coming next and always expecting things to go well. Others are quite the opposite, always expecting bad things to happen. Today’s post looks at some of the language we use to describe these two extremes.
Continue reading “Glass half full: talking about optimism and pessimism”
hopecore noun [U]
UK /ˈhəʊp.kɔːʳ/ US /ˈhoʊp.kɔːr/
a style of online content that features positive, optimistic images and messages, often as a deliberate contrast to the negative content often found on social media
Hopecore; one of the most prominent trends on TikTok during what many see as a dark time both politically and socially. The trend consists of heartwarming videos and inspirational quotes that are laid on top of natural landscapes with calming music. These videos allow viewers to destress from a long day or even escape from the all-consuming “doomscroll.”
[lhsbudget.com, 4 February 2025]
See also -core
newstalgia noun [U]
UK /njuːz.ˈtæl.dʒə/ US /nuːzˈtæl.dʒə/
a trend where old and new ideas and styles are combined to create a comforting, familiar mood that is also up to date and modern
Here’s the thing: brands that win today aren’t just forward-looking—they know when to look back, too. Enter newstalgia: the trend that’s revamping yesterday’s icons to make today’s headlines. While classic nostalgia tries to recreate the past, newstalgia flips it, remixes it, and gives it edge. This is how brands stay culturally relevant, and Gen Z is here for it.
[1milk2sugars.com, 5 November 2024]
boom boom noun [U]
/ˈbuːm ˌbuːm/
a trend in fashion and culture that suggests wealth, glamour and confidence, often inspired by similar trends of the 1980s
Boom boom is glamour and greed, epitomised by a style and mindset reminiscent of the sleazy, money-saturated world of late 80s New York. There is an end-of-empire, end-of-history nihilism to it, a sense of raising another bottle of Moët into the air while the world burns around you. But it’s also about aspiration, panic and the jarring disconnection between the economic climate we want and the one that exists – an experience shared by most.
[theguardian.com, 27 March 2025]
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This week’s post relates to the language used to describe an activity that gives a great deal of pleasure to people the world over – growing and taking care of plants and flowers, whether outside or in the home.
Continue reading “Green fingers and thumbs (The language of gardening)”
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by Liz Walter
There are often occasions when we don’t want to do something or when we refuse to do something. There can be many reasons for not doing something, and the language we use to talk about it may depend on them. Today’s post looks at some of the most common ones.
Continue reading “I don’t have the heart for it: not wanting to do things”
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Do you know someone who is ‘good in a crisis’ – someone who stays admirably calm in difficult circumstances when the people around them are too stressed to make good decisions? Perhaps you are good in a crisis. This week, I’m looking at all the words and phrases we use to talk about such people.
Continue reading “Calm and collected (The language of staying calm in a crisis)”