rucking noun [U]
/ˈrʌk.ɪŋ/
a type of exercise that involves walking while wearing a very heavy rucksack or backpack

Taking things to the next level, rucking involves walking or hiking with a weighted backpack for a low impact workout aimed at improving strength and cardiovascular fitness. This slow-burning workout is by no means new, resurging from military training as a trusted method to improve fitness.
[until.co.uk, 19 January 2024]

runglasses noun [plural]
UK /ˈrʌnˌglɑː.sɪz/ US /ˈrʌnˌglæs.ɪz/
a style of sunglasses that people sometimes wear when they are running

You were glued to the women’s 100m final last night and are eagerly awaiting the heptathlon — is it time to hit the track yourself? Maybe not, but why not steal your favourite athlete’s look instead? “Runglasses”, those visor-style shades that the world’s speediest can’t get enough of, are turning out to be the summer accessory and are already a hit on the festival scene.
[thetimes.com, 4 August 2024]

VILPA noun [U]
/ˈvɪl.pə/
abbreviation for: vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity: a way of keeping fit that involves short periods of very energetic exercise as part of your everyday life, such as climbing stairs or walking instead of taking a bus

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, carrying groceries, vacuuming and washing floors, or playing with the kids are just some of the activities that could be considered VILPA. Just put a little more oomph into your activity to raise your heart rate for a minute or so and those chores turn into VILPA gold.
[until.co.uk, 19 January 2024]

About new words

thinification noun [U]
UK /ˌθɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌθɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the process by which devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches are increasingly being designed to be as thin as possible

Remember when phone makers were racing to make their phones as thin as possible? The trend slowed down considerably in the past couple of years, but it appears Apple is about to bring it back in a big way. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple isn’t done with the thinification of its product portfolio. Gurman claims that Apple plans to launch a “significantly skinnier” phone in 2025. The company is also reportedly working on making its MacBook Pro, as well as Apple Watch, thinner.
[mashable.com, 17 June 2024]

appification noun [U]
UK /ˌæp.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌæp.ə.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the process by which information, services etc. are increasingly accessed through mobile apps rather than through computer programs or traditional websites

The appification of life has been so subtle that it’s easy to miss the essential pillars. They are dependence and convergence. Dependence, because there’s no other way. You can’t pay cash, no one answers the phone and it’s increasingly hard to pay for anything without a tiresome struggle not to give up your own personal information. App developers know that machines are more patient than humans: they’re counting on you to run out of resilience and cough it all up eventually.
[newstatesman.com, 22 May 2024]

nomadification noun [U]
UK /nəʊ.ˌmæd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /noʊ.ˌmæd.ə.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the process by which people are becoming more mobile, often moving to different cities and countries and working remotely rather than living and working in one place for a long time

Medellín is still in the early stages of nomadification — the last year has seen a boom in arrivals, according to data collected by Nomad List. In some hot spots, nomads are starting to meet greater resistance. In Latin America, Mexico City is the epicenter of the nomad boom. Relaxed Covid-19 policies in 2021 led to a rush of influencers advertising the lifestyle.
[restofworld.org, 23 May 2023]

See also digital nomad

About new words

anti-airport dad noun [C]
UK /ˈæn.tiˌeə.pɔːt dæd/ US /ˈæn.t̬iˌer.pɔːrt dæd/
the father of a family who has a relaxed attitude towards travel, often arriving at the airport with very little time to spare or almost missing their flight, or anyone who behaves in this way when travelling with a group

Just like being an airport dad, being an anti-airport dad is a lifestyle. This trend has recently started growing on TikTok as a response to the thousands of videos showcasing their hyper-organized dads. The claim is simple: not every dad is, in fact, on top of it when it comes to traveling. Some of them are just chaos, hence the anti-airport dad … An anti-airport dad can be easily recognized by the use of one specific catchphrase: “I’ve got plenty of time.”
[thrillist.com, 29 June 2023]

See also airport dad

skiplagging noun [U]
/ˈskɪp.læg.ɪŋ/
a way to save money that involves booking a flight with a stopover but deliberately not getting back on the plane for the final part of the journey

Skiplagging is buying a ticket for a connecting flight, with a layover in the city that’s the real destination for the traveler. Flyers disembark after the first leg and simply fail to board the second. Often the fare is cheaper than if they’d actually bought a direct flight to their desired destination. At least two websites now help unearth these deals for consumers.
[nytimes.com, 8 August 2023]

justication noun [C]
UK /ˌdʒʌs.tɪ.ˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌdʒʌs.tə.ˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a holiday you justify to yourself that you need even though there are good reasons not to take it, such as not being able to afford it

The latest buzzword capturing attention is “justication,” which combines “justify” and “vacation.” The concept of “justication” refers to taking a vacation despite financial constraints or other reasons that might typically discourage travel. This trend is increasingly common … many travelers justify their trips due to a strong desire for a break, even if it strains their budgets.
[exoticplacestotravel.com, 31 July 2024]

About new words

proptech noun [U]
UK /ˈprɒp.tek/ US /ˈprɑːp.tek/
abbreviation for “property technology”: the business of using technology to buy and sell property in new ways

The real estate industry has undergone a significant technological transformation in recent years, and the word “proptech” has firmly come into common use. But this concept is so broad that you may even have no idea that the tool you’re using actually refers to proptech. In fact, proptech real estate solutions apply to all processes throughout the lifecycle of a property.
[solveit.dev, 27 October 2023]

tech prepper noun [C]
UK /ˈtek prep.əʳ/ US /ˈtek prep.ɚ/
someone who believes that a war or disaster will happen soon, and who makes sure they have reliable technology-related equipment and knowledge in order to be ready for it

You’re prepared for everything; with the tools you need to go off the grid at a moment’s notice. However, if your bug-out bag is missing a rugged laptop, you can’t rightly call yourself a tech prepper. Tech resilience is crucial for digital preparedness in unpredictable circumstances … Tech preppers have the tools and expertise they need to live off the grid, even if traditional infrastructure falls apart.
[bobjohnson.com, 27 March 2024]

See also prepper

cloudwashing noun [U]
UK /ˈklaʊd.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈklaʊd.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
the act of marketing an old computer product or service as cloud-based when it is not, or mostly not, to take advantage of the popularity of cloud computing and make more money from the product or service

Cloud computing is low-maintenance, cost-effective and highly scalable – in fact, it’s nothing short of game-changing. But if you’re not vigilant, you could fall into the trap of procuring cloud software that’s traditional software in disguise. It’s called cloudwashing, and it’s becoming more common.
[rae.co.za, 17 March 2024]

See also -washing

About new words