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A little while back, my colleague, Liz Walter, published a post on phrases that contain the word ‘blood’. Today, I’m picking up the ‘parts of the body’ theme with a post on idioms with the word ‘bone’. There are a surprising number of them!
Continue reading “I feel it in my bones (Idioms with ‘bone’)”
celeb bait noun [U]
/səˈleb ˌbeɪt/
an attempt to steal private information or money from someone by using fake photographs of a celebrity and messages claiming to be from them
Celeb bait is a cyber scam where cyber criminals use images of celebrities to lure victims into clicking malicious links or ads that lead to fraudulent websites. The scammers exploit the trust and popularity of celebrities to make their schemes seem more legitimate.
[https://em360tech.com/, 2 April 2025]
whaling attack noun [C]
/ˈweɪ.lɪŋ əˌtæk/
an attempt to trick a very senior person in a company into giving private information, usually by sending an email pretending to be someone they know
Whaling attacks specifically pursue an organization’s C-suite executives, senior management, and other high-profile decision-makers who have privileged access to sensitive data and financial resources … Unlike traditional phishing attacks that cast a wide net, whaling attacks are highly personalized and selective in their targeting.
[proofpoint.com, 5 March 2025]
wrench attack noun [C]
/ˈrentʃ əˌtæk/
an attempt to steal private information from someone by threatening or physically harming them
In November, Rubenfeld finally succeeded in persuading insurance giant Lloyd’s of London to include wrench attacks in the policy that AnchorWatch offers to its customers. For an annual cost starting at 0.55% of the Bitcoin they want to protect, customers can now be insured against violent Bitcoin robberies.
[fortune.com, 3 February 2025]
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We all make mistakes. Often, they’re small and easily corrected, though sadly this is not always true. Today’s post takes a look at the different types of mistakes that we make, big and small, written and spoken.
Continue reading “Gaffes and blunders (Different types of mistakes)”
nanoship noun [C]
UK /ˈnæn.əʊ.ʃɪp/ US /ˈnæn.oʊ.ʃɪp/
a very short romantic interaction with someone, with no expectation that it will lead to a relationship
Officially, a nanoship involves having some kind of quick, small connection moment with someone without any accompanying expectations or longer-term commitments. It could be simply a momentary and fleeting connection or could lead to something deeper and longer-lasting. The point is you just don’t know at the moment it occurs.
[psychologytoday.com, 5 January 2025]
NATO dating noun [U]
UK /ˈneɪ.təʊ ˌdeɪtɪŋ/ US /ˈneɪ.t̬oʊ ˌdeɪtɪŋ/
abbreviation for “not attached to an outcome dating”: an approach to dating people where someone focuses on enjoying the experience rather than expecting a serious relationship
The benefits of NATO dating include pursuing mindful partnerships, prioritizing personal growth, embracing singlehood, seeking meaningful experiences, and assessing true compatibility. It makes sense. This approach to dating can help you let go of timelines and pre-existing expectations and allow you to get to know a person without all the pressure and anxiety of finding the love of your life.
[sandiegomagazine.com, 13 September 2024]
hoodfishing noun [U]
/ˈhʊd.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/
the practice where someone pretends on their online dating profile to live in a more fashionable or wealthy area than they actually do, in order to seem more attractive to others
Hoodfishing is a trend on the dating apps where people lie about where they are from or where they are based out of … While it may seem harmless, hoodfishing is one of the more annoying dating trends that have taken off because if you fall for it, it is extra work making the distance work, but more importantly, it just isn’t ethical.
[zeezest.com, 20 August 2024]
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by Liz Walter
It is very common to use prepositions and preposition-based phrases to talk about where a place is in relation to where you are yourself. This could be within a country, a region or a city. There are some subtle differences in the way speakers of British and American English do this. In this post, I’ll discuss some of the most common ones.
Continue reading “Up north and down south: prepositions for expressing directions”
tadpole water noun [U]
UK /ˈtæd.pəʊl ˌwɔː.təʳ/ US /ˈtæd.poʊl ˌwɑː.t̬ɚ/
a drink made from warm water, chia seeds and lemon
Tadpole water is the newest viral health trend on social media, with wellness influencers uploading videos sharing their recipes on TikTok and reporting health benefits. Popular among Gen Z, tadpole water gets its name thanks to its gloopy texture making it look like frog spawn, but fear not, it is in fact made from chia seeds.
[scotsman.com, 20 September 2024]
lemonading noun [U]
/ˌlem.əˈneɪ.dɪŋ/
a way of approaching problems or challenges in life that involves remaining positive and optimistic and seeing them as opportunities for growth or improvement
When life gives you lemons, what do you do? According to a new study, ‘lemonading’ can help you feel better. Originating from positive psychology, the concept of lemonading is all about creatively approaching hurdles as opportunities for growth. It’s not about brushing things under the carpet or faking a smile in the way you might expect from toxic positivity, but rather, about pursuing the possibility of enjoyable experiences among, and perhaps as a result of, the challenges you face.
[happiful.com, 21 February 2025]
gut pop noun [U]
UK /ˈgʌt ˌpɒp/ US /ˈgʌt ˌpɑːp/
a fizzy drink that helps good bacteria grow in your body and may keep you healthy
Sales of so-called gut pop are growing in the U.S. as more consumers shift from sugary soda mainstays to healthier, more natural alternatives. With traditional soda sales gone flat, both companies are jumping into the prebiotic soft-drink market now dominated by upstart brands Olipop and Poppi. The two startups have aggressively marketed gut pop into the zeitgeist.
[msn.com, 18 February 2025]
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‘Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.’ So said Albert Einstein. It may be comforting to remember this quote when an action of yours produces unwanted results. Of course, no one likes making mistakes, but mistakes are part of life. That’s why we have so many ways of talking about them. This post and my next are dedicated to this subject.
Continue reading “Rookie mistakes and schoolboy errors (Talking about mistakes)”
career catfishing noun [U]
UK /kəˌrɪər ˈkæt.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/ US /kəˌrɪr ˈkæt.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/
the act of accepting a job offer but then not arriving at work on the first day of employment, or any other day after that
“Career catfishing” — the trend of job seekers accepting a job and refusing to show up on the first day — is a reflection of simmering gripes from a new generation of workers. It’s one way Gen Z tries to take back power in their professional lives, but it’s also a sign of a deeper and growing divide between big business and the younger generation.
[forbes.com, 2 February 2025]
See also catfishing
taskmasking noun [U]
UK /ˈtɑːsk.mɑːs.kɪŋ/ US /ˈtæsk.mæs.kɪŋ/
appearing to be busy at work when you are actually not working very much at all
Taskmasking is not necessarily just a new name for procrastination … it’s effectively ‘performative productivity’ – creating the illusion of being hard at work when really, we’re not achieving much at all. However, while it’s easy to simply dismiss taskmasking as laziness or boredom, workplace experts have indicated that sudden changes to workplace expectations and environments [are the] reason why an increasing number of workers consider themselves guilty of it.
[harpersbazaar.com, 27 March 2025]
chronoworking noun [U]
UK /ˈkrɒn.əʊ.wɜː.kɪŋ/ US /ˈkrɑː.noʊ.wɝː.kɪŋ/
adapting your working hours to when you feel most awake and energetic
Our circadian rhythms operate on different schedules, but for many office-based staff, work is the one place where we’re all expected to log-in and log-off at the same time. Thankfully, the new workplace trend of “chronoworking” promises to help those who find they are most productive outside the traditional nine to five by allowing for more flexibility in our working hours.
[raconteur.net, 31 January 2024]
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by Liz Walter
When my dear Granny had completed a task to her satisfaction, she used to exclaim, ‘That’s a good job jobbed!’ Although she wasn’t the only person to use this phrase, it’s pretty rare, so this post will cover some much more common ways of talking about doing things successfully.
Continue reading “Killing two birds with one stone: talking about achievements”
glampervanning noun [U]
UK /ˈglæm.pə.væn.ɪŋ/ US /ˈglæm.pɚ.væn.ɪŋ/
a holiday in a camper van that is more comfortable and luxurious than traditional campervanning
Glampervanning is all about merging the thrill of camping with the comfort of a luxurious stay. Imagine having all the perks of glamorous camping—sleeping under the stars, waking up to breathtaking views, and exploring rugged landscapes—while enjoying modern amenities like a cozy bed, a fully equipped kitchen, and stylish interiors.
[vdubadventures.com, 26 September 2024]
See also glamping
airport theory noun [U]
UK /ˈeə.pɔːt ˌθɪə.ri/ US /ˈer.pɔːrt ˌθɪr.i/
a social media trend where travellers arrive at the airport 15–20 minutes before their flight departs, rather than several hours earlier, getting to the departure gate just as boarding begins
If airports weren’t already a hellscape, TikTok has found a way to make them worse. Welcome to airport theory, a viral delusion that suggests you can roll up to the airport 15 minutes before boarding, waltz through security, and still make your flight with time to spare. No stress, no waiting, just pure main character energy. It’s a fun fantasy, which explains why “airport theory” has racked up over 400 million views on TikTok.
[wired.com, 18 March 2025]
me-moon noun [C]
/ˈmiː.muːn/
a luxury holiday you take on your own
With social media feeds feeling increasingly flooded with honeymoon and babymoon posts, a fresh trend is on the rise in response: the ‘me-moon’. Instead of following the crowd, 23 per cent are embracing their own ‘main character energy’ with a solo me-moon. But, it’s not all about isolation. Twenty-one per cent of those wanting a me-moon are out to meet new friends, while 12 per cent are looking for a little romance along the way.
[dailymail.co.uk, 30 September 2024]