Listen to the author reading this blog post.
‘Nothing succeeds like excess’, said Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish writer, presumably having a bit of fun with the old proverb, ‘Nothing succeeds like success.’ I mention this because today’s post is all about excess – that is, an amount or level of something that is too much.
DYOR abbreviation
UK /ˌdiː.waɪ.əʊˈɑːʳ/ US /ˌdiː.waɪ.oʊˈɑːr/
abbreviation of “do your own research”: a basic principle of the cryptocurrency market, encouraging buyers to research and understand all the risks and benefits of a cryptocurrency deal before they invest in it
As we enter the bull market, keep in mind that “DYOR” isn’t just some disclaimer-like catchphrase – it’s an essential practice that separates savvy crypto users from gamblers. Done correctly, DYOR should help inform crucial crypto decisions, mitigate risks, and maximize opportunities.
[coinmarketcap.com, 18 December 2023]
crypto agility noun [U]
UK /ˌkrɪp.təʊ əˈdʒɪl.ə.ti/ US /ˌkrɪp.toʊ əˈdʒɪl.ə.t̬i/
the ability of an organization to quickly adapt and change the methods it uses to encrypt its data to protect it from cyberattacks
Once a niche concern for IT professionals, crypto agility has evolved into a critical issue that impacts all organizations and employees, from executives to interns … As cyber threats evolve, particularly with quantum computing, crypto agility helps keep your systems secure.
[fastcompany.com, 6 November 2024]
meme coin noun [C]
/ˈmiːm kɔɪn/
a type of cryptocurrency based on an internet meme or other online trend and usually created to be amusing rather than for its value as an investment
Welcome to the $100 billion market for meme coins, crypto’s wildest — and dumbest — moneymaking craze. Nearly 13 million coins have already been created in 2024. The best-known meme coin, Dogecoin — inspired by a Shiba Inu dog — is the sixth-most-valuable cryptocurrency in the world. But it’s not for the faint of heart: Meme coins have no intrinsic value, an incredibly short shelf life, and are even more volatile than bitcoin.
[forbes.com, 13 November 2024]
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by Liz Walter
In my last post, I looked at how to say someone’s age using the number of years they have been alive. Today’s post covers some other ways of talking about how old a person is, particularly looking at different life stages.
Continue reading “Toddlers, tweens and pensioners: more words for talking about age”
root-to-tip adjective
/ˌruːt.təˈtɪp/
using all the different parts of a vegetable in cooking, so that none of it is wasted
This project will see the launch of a “Living Laboratory” at King’s, where the project team will develop and test “root-to-tip” recipes that use more of the plant (i.e. peels and stalks) … The study [will research] the positive impact of root-to-tip dining on dietary intake and nutrition, as well as the impact on reducing food waste, through development of unique recipes.
[kcl.ac.uk, 15 August 2024]
See also nose to tail
fin-to-gill adjective
/ˌfɪn.təˈgɪl/
using as many parts of a fish as possible in cooking, so that none of it is wasted
A new “fin-to-gill” seafood restaurant inspired by the Greek islands will open in Marylebone in June. No part of the fish will be left unused, with bones and spines turned into broths and lesser-used parts – the head and throat, for example – grilled simply, as they are in traditional Greek kitchens.
[standard.co.uk, 27 April 2023]
estate-to-plate adjective
/ɪˌsteɪt.təˈpleɪt/
describes an approach where a chef cooks food that is grown or produced within the estate where the restaurant is located
It’s the Yorkshire landscape that inspires me most; at Forge we follow an estate-to-plate ethos using the produce growing in the gardens and across the 200 acres of parkland.
[livingnorth.com, August 2024]
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As I research the language for these posts, I’m often surprised by the number of words and phrases in English for the same basic concept. This week’s subject – the language of limiting things – is no exception.
Continue reading “Curbing and capping (The language of limiting things)”
January brain noun [U]
UK /ˈdʒæn.ju.ə.ri ˌbreɪn/ US /ˈdʒæn.ju.er.i ˌbreɪn/
a feeling of tiredness and a lack of energy and motivation that some people experience when they go back to work in the new year after the Christmas holidays
When we get back to work after that strange, glorious post-Christmas hinterland period, many of us struggle to adjust. Our brains might feel foggy, our motivation lacking and we’re likely to seriously struggle to match our usual productivity. Let’s call that befuddled sensation “January brain”: a general sense of mental sluggishness, as if we’re operating on a slight time delay or in slow motion.
[independent.co.uk, 13 January 2024]
winter arc noun [C]
UK /ˌwɪn.tər ˈɑːk/ US /ˌwɪn.t̬ɚˈɑːrk/
a trend that involves spending the whole winter season making lifestyle changes relating to your physical and mental health and wellbeing, such as breaking bad habits and exercising more
Some people commit to the winter arc as a dedicated, disciplined wellbeing programme from 1 October to 1 January, while others approach it as an opportunity to reflect and establish new habits at a slower, more considered pace than the conventional new year’s resolution. Following a winter arc also means that habits are already established by the time that January arrives, so in theory you’ll need to flex your willpower far less during a month that’s often arduous enough as it is.
[harpersbazaar.com, 24 November 2024]
Quitter’s Day noun [S]
UK /ˈkwɪt.əz deɪ/ US /ˈkwɪt̬.ɚz deɪ/
the second Friday of January, the day when most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions and go back to their old habits
How are those New Year’s resolutions coming along? Fallen off the wagon…? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. In fact, the second Friday in January is known as Quitter’s Day. Apparently on average, only 8% of us stick with our goals for an entire month. 23% of us quit by the end of the first week. And according to a 2024 survey by Forbes Health, 62% of us never even wanted to make a new year’s resolution in the first place.
[performancelab.com, 24 November 2024]
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by Liz Walter
We often have to talk about the age of people and things, but this is an area where learners often make errors. This post will explain how to talk about age and how to avoid common errors. Continue reading “A young man of twenty: talking about age”
founder mode noun [U]
UK /ˈfaʊn.də məʊd/ US /ˈfaʊn.dɚ moʊd/
a management style where the founder of a company is involved in all aspects of the business, rather than delegating responsibilities to managers
Last month, the co-founder of startup incubator Y Combinator, Paul Graham, posted an essay in which he coined the term “founder mode” and discussed its benefits for businesses. Since the essay’s release, the phrase has been making waves across the internet, sparking a heated debate about how much founders should involve themselves in the running of an enterprise.
[startups.co.uk, 17 October 2024]
MAANG noun [S]
/mæŋ/
abbreviation for Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google: a way of referring to these companies as a single entity
Working at MAANG companies requires a strong foundation in technical skills. Whether you’re applying for a software development role or an engineering position, having deep knowledge and experience in your field is crucial. Stay updated with the latest technologies and trends, as these companies often seek individuals who can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
[pesto.tech, 9 February 2024]
broligarch noun [C]
UK /ˈbrəʊ.l.ɪ.gɑː.k/ US /ˈbrəʊ.lɪ.gɑːrk/
a very rich man who works in the digital technology industry and is politically influential
But now a number of prominent male tech plutocrats who previously opposed the former president have done an about-face: These broligarchs are publicly endorsing and donating to the Republican candidate—and revealing a lot about their own priorities.
[theatlantic.com, 4 August 2024]
Listen to the author reading this blog post.
One of several things we do on this blog is look at the various ways we say the same – or a similar – thing. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life! Today’s post will provide you with a range of ways to say ‘gradually’, including phrases and single words.
healthwashing noun [U]
UK /ˈhelθ.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈhelθ.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
a practice where products such as food and vitamins are labelled in a way that suggests they are healthier than they actually are
Finally, the government has woken up to the practice of healthwashing that some companies indulge in marketing their products by adding certain attributes in the marketing spin, and on product labels, which may or may not be present in the product. By doing this, they increase the price of the product by a significant percentage and prey on the consumers by taking advantage of their health concerns.
[indiacommentary.com, 26 September 2024]
See also greenwashing, sportswashing
farmwashing noun [U]
UK /ˈfɑːm.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈfɑːrm.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
a practice where a company gives the impression that its products come from small, local, family-run farms, when this is not actually the case
Organic veg box company Riverford has teamed up with a group of British farmers to launch a new fairness campaign called “Farmers Against Farmwashing” aimed at exposing misleading supermarket “farmwashing” practices – where major supermarkets use fake farm brands and the overuse of the Union Jack to give shoppers the impression that their products come from quaint British family farms. However, much of the food is increasingly sourced from industrial mega farms or from overseas.
[farming.co.uk, 27 September 2024]
sanewashing noun [U]
UK /ˈseɪn.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈseɪn.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
a practice where journalists or public figures portray someone with extreme ideas or policies as more reasonable and moderate than they actually are, in order to make the person more acceptable to a bigger number of people
The Poynter Institute, a journalism nonprofit, defines “sanewashing” as “the act of packaging radical and outrageous statements in a way that makes them seem normal.” “Sanewashing” is unusual in that it began not with politicians but with journalists, the Columbia Journalism Review suggests, or with people who pride themselves on not using clichés.
[medium.com, 21 November 2024]