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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”
thirstwave noun [C]
UK /ˈθɜːstweɪv/ US /ˈθɝːstweɪv/
a period of hot, dry weather that causes soil and plants to lose a very large amount of water to evaporation
During a thirstwave, the atmosphere essentially goes into overdrive, demanding more moisture than usual. From 1981 to 2021, thirstwaves across the United States averaged 0.8 millimeters per day above normal, lasted about 4 days, and occurred nearly 3 times per growing season.
[earth.com, 14 April 2025]
firewave noun [C]
UK /ˈfaɪəweɪv/ US /ˈfaɪrweɪv/
a series of fires that burn strongly and out of control on an area of grass in a city, usually triggered by very hot weather
Cities across the UK are facing a growing threat from an emerging phenomenon called “firewaves” as temperatures rise due to climate change, scientists have warned. Guillermo Rein, professor of fire science at Imperial College London, has been working alongside the London Fire Brigade to help predict when conditions are ripe for a “firewave”.
[bbc.co.uk, 14 August 2025]
smog wave noun [C]
UK /ˈsmɒg ˌweɪv/ US /ˈsmɑːg ˌweɪv/
a period of extreme and long-lasting air pollution, where a mixture of smoke, gases, and chemicals in the atmosphere make it difficult to breathe and can be harmful for health
Authorities in eastern Pakistan have closed public parks, zoos, museums, historical buildings and playgrounds for 10 days as a record-breaking “smog wave” choked 18 districts of Punjab province, leaving tens of thousands of people ill. Lahore residents went about their lives in a twilight gloom that lingered over the city for hours, reducing visibility to around 100 metres.
[jerseyeveningpost.com, 8 November 2024]
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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’)”
best friend dictionary noun [C]
UK /ˌbest frend ˈdɪk.ʃᵊn.ᵊr.i/ US /ˌbest frend ˈdɪk.ʃᵊn.er.i/
a set of inside jokes and made-up words and phrases used by close friends
You know you’re bonded with your best friend when you develop words and phrases of your own, almost like a secret language. On TikTok, this tradition has been dubbed the “best friend dictionary” and it already has millions of views … The best friend dictionary is iconic, but even more impressive is how quickly everyone partaking in this trend seems to know the definitions.
[bustle.com, 14 May 2024]
friendflation noun [U]
/frendˈfleɪ.ʃᵊn/
the rising cost of going out with friends
Can you put a price on friendship? Apparently you can, and it isn’t cheap. The rising cost of socialising, known as “friendflation”, is “becoming a serious pressure point” for many adult friendships, said The Mirror. “Birthdays aren’t just a few drinks at the pub, they’re weekends away, lavish brunches or fancy dinners”, and “even going for a coffee is nearly a fiver”.
[theweek.com, 1 October 2025]
medium friend noun [C]
/ˈmiː.di.əm ˌfrend/
someone who is closer than an acquaintance but not a very close friend
I personally don’t think that it makes sense to go around calling people medium friends to their face. This term is more about internal taxonomy so that you can name and understand the phenomenon without feeling like you’re the only person experiencing this or feeling bad for it.
[reeswrites.com, 1 June 2025]
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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)”
ber month noun [C, usually plural]
UK /ˈbɜː ˌmʌnθ/ US /ˈbɝː ˌmʌnθ/
one of September, October, November or December
The ber months are calling. Whether it’s September’s gentle sun, October’s adventures, November’s tropical retreats or December’s festive warmth, there’s a perfect escape waiting for you. Imagine waking up to golden beaches, exploring vibrant cities or discovering wellness retreats that leave you completely recharged.
[notjusttravel.com, 4 September 2025]
October theory noun [S]
UK /ɒkˈtəʊ.bə ˌθɪə.ri/ US /ɑːkˈtoʊ.bɚ ˌθɪr.i/
the belief that October is a like a second New Year, giving people the chance to set new goals and make important life changes
Many users across the platform have increasingly been posting about the “October theory,” and what that means for the rest of the year. According to Chloe Van Berkel, a content creator on TikTok, October is almost like New Year’s Day. The month kicks off the start of the fourth quarter of the year … a reflective period in which people look back on their year to see what they’ve accomplished.
[independent.co.uk, 3 October 2024]
summerween noun [C or U]
UK /ˌsʌm.ə.ˈwiːn/ US /ˌsʌm.ɚ.ˈwiːn/
a celebration of Halloween held in the summer instead of on 31 October
Summerween is a playful blend of summer vibes and Halloween thrills. Imagine sipping your favorite icy drink while surrounded by spooky skeletons and glowing pumpkins. It’s the best of both worlds! This quirky trend is catching on, giving Halloween enthusiasts an extra reason to celebrate and decorate months in advance.
[parade.com, 14 July 2025]
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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”
lawnmower poetry noun [U]
UK /ˈlɔːnˌməʊ.ə ˌpəʊ.ɪ.tri/ US /ˈlɑːnˌmoʊ.ɚ ˌpoʊ.ə.tri/
a type of poetry that uses the image of the lawnmower and the act of mowing the lawn to explore a variety of themes
British poets including Philip Larkin and Andrew Motion have driven a “lawnmower poetry” microgenre, using the machine to explore childhood, masculinity, violence, addiction, mortality and much more, new research shows. “Lawnmower poetry had its highpoint in the late 20th century but now would be a good moment for a revival,” says the study’s author, Francesca Gardner, from Cambridge’s English Faculty and St Catharine’s College.
[cam.ac.uk, 17 May 2025]
mood reading noun [U]
/ˈmuːd ˌriː.dɪŋ/
a method of choosing books to read based on the way you feel at the time, rather than reading books in a fixed order
I wrote about this recently when talking about tackling my TBR pile, but mood reading has a lot going for it. Only you know what you feel like reading, what aligns with your emotions. Don’t force a book on yourself, pick according to whatever mood you’re in. If that’s classic 80’s horror or a romance novel with werewolves, so be it.
[bookshelfdiscovery.com, 20 July 2025]
booktivist noun [C]
UK /ˈbʊk.tɪ.vɪst/ US /ˈbʊk.tə.vɪst/
a person who uses what they read in books to help them try to bring about political or social change
Guides invent 72 new “empowering” badges that reflect their lives. Among them is a badge called … “booktivist”, a portmanteau of “book” and “activist” that aims to help girls discover what empowers them through reading.
[thetimes.com, 21 July 2025]