coolcation noun [C]
/ˌkuːlˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a holiday in a place where the weather is not very warm, usually because you do not want to go somewhere that has become too hot because of climate change

For the vast majority of folk, summer holidays used to be about following the sun, seeking the heat. With the intense, record-breaking temperatures of recent years, however, many are considering travelling in the opposite direction: booking “coolcations” in temperate destinations, which also benefit from being less crowded.
[cntraveller.com, 18 December 2023]

carbon bomb noun [C]
UK /ˈkɑː.bᵊn ˌbɒm/ US /ˈkɑːr.bᵊn ˌbɑːm/
a project to extract a fossil fuel from the ground that would cause carbon dioxide emissions of more than one gigatonne

Recent reports have revealed that banks pumped more than $150 billion (£124bn) into companies with “carbon bomb” projects that could destroy humanity’s last chance to stop the climate crisis in the past year. Together, the current oil, gas, and coal carbon bombs outdo the world’s total remaining carbon budget that was set in the Paris Agreement, which aims to get ahead of global warming.
[standard.co.uk, 1 November 2023]

climate mobility noun [U]
UK /ˈklaɪ.mət məʊˌbɪl.ə.ti/ US /ˈklaɪ.mət moʊˌbɪl.ə.t̬i/
moving away from an area affected by climate change to live somewhere else

Climate mobility was the most glaring omission at this year’s Summit. This encompasses both forced displacement, either due to sudden-onset disasters or climate change-induced shifts in environmental conditions, as well as the use of long-term migration or temporary mobility as proactive adaptation strategies by individuals or communities.
[justsecurity.org, 19 October 2023]

About new words

soft life noun [C]
UK /ˈsɒft ˌlaɪf/ US /ˈsɑːft ˌlaɪf/
a lifestyle someone chooses that is as stress-free and unchallenging as possible, focusing instead on relaxation and well-being

As the wording suggests, soft life is all about veering away from stress and struggle and embracing a more easy and enriched life. “Soft life isn’t new, however I’m really grateful to see its resurgence,” said Chlöe Pierre, founder of wellness platform thy.self. “Essentially to me, especially as a black woman, soft life is about making choices that can avoid me having to live a much longer, and unsustainable, life in hardship.”
[independent.co.uk, 9 August 2023]

soft separation noun [C, U]
UK /ˌsɒft ˌsep.ᵊrˈeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌsɑːft ˌsep.əˈreɪ.ʃᵊn/
an arrangement by which two married people stop living together as a couple but do not get divorced

Soft separation involves separating without a divorce, and often remaining conjoined in some way, whether that’s keeping the same surname or sharing holidays. Ultimately whether a soft separation works out may be down to whether it’s a personal choice or a financial necessity. However, in an increasingly harsh world of relationships it’s nice to know that amicable break-ups are still possible.
[mailplus.co.uk, 17 October 2023]

soft saving noun [U]
UK /ˌsɒft ˈseɪ.vɪŋ/ US /ˌsɑːft ˈseɪ.vɪŋ/
the activity of saving less money for the future and spending more now to enjoy a better quality of life

Gen Z appears to be taking this in stride by embracing a trend known as “soft saving,” the idea of prioritizing personal and mental well-being over a focus on beefing up their investment portfolios. It’s about living for today and minimizing daily stress rather than worrying endlessly about the future.
[moneytalkgo.com, 23 June 2023]

About new words

tour tourism noun [U]
UK /ˌtʊə ˈtʊə.rɪ.zᵊm/ US /ˌtʊr ˈtʊr.ɪ.zᵊm/
the activity of travelling abroad to see a singer or band live in concert

Tour tourism is just like the usual travel that people make to go to another place, only this time they go on a journey to see their favorite artist perform. Expedia, an online travel brand, notices a sharp increase in it and sees Taylor Swift as the reason behind it. Aside from Taylor Swift, another equally famous pop star also caused the soar of tour tourism: Beyoncé and her Renaissance Tour.
[spieltimes.com, 12 November 2023]

dry tripping noun [U]
/ˈdraɪ ˌtrɪp.ɪŋ/
going on holidays where there is a focus on not drinking alcohol

According to a recent survey by Hotels.com, “dry tripping” or taking alcohol-free vacations is on the rise, especially among young people who are increasingly opting for a more mindful and health-conscious approach to travel. Many hotels and resorts around the world are catering to sober-curious travelers … offering alcohol-free beverage options, mocktail-making classes, and even detox-focused amenities.
[travelnoire.com, 24 November 2023]

slowcation noun [C]
UK /ˌsləʊˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌsloʊˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a type of holiday where the aim is to get to know the people and culture of a place slowly, rather than simply visiting the most popular tourist attractions

Embarking on a slowcation is like savoring a fine wine; it’s about indulging in the depth, complexity, and subtlety of a place, rather than merely skimming its surface. Instead of racing through a checklist of attractions, a slowcation invites you to linger, to delve into the heart of a destination. It’s about finding the soul of a place, living like a local, and allowing the rhythm of everyday life to dictate your days.
[drifttravel.com, 13 December 2023]

About new words

autumn sneezing syndrome noun [U]
UK /ˌɔː.təm ˈsniːzɪŋ ˌsɪn.drəʊm/ US /ˌɑː.t̬ᵊm ˈsniːzɪŋ ˌsɪn.droʊm/
an allergy caused by pollen that people are most likely to suffer from during autumn

“Autumn sneezing syndrome” is on the rise as allergies become more common, an expert has said. The increasing number of cases is said to be caused by shifting pollen levels as well as an invasive plant called ragweed, a primary contributor to hay fever symptoms.
[telegraph.co.uk, 12 November 2023]

See also hay fever

quadrupledemic noun [C]
UK /kwɒdˈruː.pᵊlˌdem.ɪk/ US /kwɑːˈdruː.pᵊlˌdem.ɪk/
the widespread outbreak of Covid-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus at the same time

Cold and flu viruses slowed to a trickle during the early part of the Covid pandemic only to blast through human populations this year. Some public health experts have called it a “tripledemic,” but it might even be described as a quadrupledemic. In the Northern Hemisphere, flu began surging in October, months before its normal season. This year has also seen a steep, early rise in two other viruses, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and adenovirus.
[bloomberg.com, 23 November 2022]

See also tripledemic

long cold noun [C]
UK /ˌlɒŋ ˈkəʊld/ US /ˌlɑːŋ ˈkoʊld/
a condition in which the effects and symptoms of a cold continue for several weeks or months

People can suffer from “long colds” and feel under the weather for weeks after initial symptoms such as sneezing have gone, research has shown … It revealed that the “long Covid” phenomenon applied to most respiratory illnesses, including the common cold.
[thetimes.co.uk, 7 October 2023]

See also long Covid

About new words

funwashing noun [U]
UK /ˈfʌn.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈfʌn.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
the practice of someone taking part in a popular event or show, appearing on television, etc. as a way to improve their reputation with the public

At the same time, former UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage benefits from the same “funwashing” on “I’m a Celebrity Get me out of Here!” as Pauline Hanson, leader of the most successful extreme right party in Australia in recent years, did when she was invited on “Dancing with the Stars” just a moment after her political career plummeted.
[thewire.in, 27 November 2023]

See also -washing, greenwashing, sportswashing

screenwashing noun [U]
UK /ˈskriːn.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈskriːn.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
the practice of someone appearing on a popular television programme as a way to improve their reputation with the general public

We need a word for the way political figures who have done terrible things are rehabilitated by television. So here’s a candidate: Screenwashing… Screenwashing induces us to forget or trivialise what these people did when they were in politics. It wipes the public memory clean. If you seek to remind people what these figures did when they were in politics, you are considered a spoilsport, a killjoy. This is the way the world ends: not with a bang but a bant.

[twitter.com/GeorgeMonbiot, 29 November 2022]

wokewashing noun [U]
UK /ˈwəʊk.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈwoʊk.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
behaviour or activities to make people believe that a company cares more about social problems such as racism and inequality than it really does

Enter wokewashing. In this phase, brands are co-opting social justice issues like anti-racism, feminism, inequality and mental health awareness. They align themselves with trending socially conscious and cultural issues. Meanwhile, some of the same (or similar) issues they speak up against are being perpetrated within their own company and their supply chains. Such is the dubious art of wokewashing.
[ecostyles.com.au, 23 February 2022]

About new words