distracted walking noun [U]
UK /dɪˈstræk.tɪd ˈwɔː.kɪŋ/ US /dɪˈstræk.tɪd ˈwɑː.kɪŋ/
the minor crime of crossing the road while looking at your mobile phone or similar device and therefore posing a danger to motorists and other pedestrians

As such, the newly tabled private member’s bill at Queen’s Park aimed at curbing so-called “distracted walking” amounts to evidence-blind legislative overreach. The proposed law, which would impose fines of up to $125 for crossing the street while using a cellphone, is itself a distraction from the real causes and solutions to Ontario’s – and, in particular, Toronto’s – growing pedestrian safety problem.
[www.thestar.com, 30 October 2017]

smombie noun [C]
UK /ˈsmɒm.bi/ US /ˈsmɑːm.bi/
a pedestrian who is distracted by their mobile phone or similar device

Germany also boasts the distinction of installing some of the world’s first traffic lights in the pavement, designed to stop smombies walking out in front of a bus.
[www.bbc.com/future, 29 November 2016]

zombie law noun [C]
UK /ˈzɒm.bi lɔː/ US /ˈzɑːm.bi lɑː/
a law that bans people from crossing the road while distracted by their mobile phone or similar device

As Honolulu rolls out the new “zombie law”, other North American cities have been watching carefully. Earlier this year, the Toronto City Council in Canada voted to ask provincial Ontario to amend the existing traffic laws to make distracted walking an offence. However, the province turned the request down, and the city is instead concentrating on public education.
[www.bbc.co.uk/news, 27 October 2017]

About new words

STEMinist noun [C]
UK /ˈstem.ɪ.nɪst/ US /ˈstem.ə.nɪst/
someone who promotes equal opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (known collectively as STEM)

Providing young women with positive role models is crucial if we are to inspire them to take up a career in science, technology, engineering or maths. That’s why Randox has teamed up with other key employers and organisations within Northern Ireland to celebrate the work of STEMinists across the country and share their stories.
[www.randox.com, 16 June 2017]

bropropriation noun [U]
UK /brəʊˌprəʊ.priˈeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /broʊˌproʊ.priˈeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a situation when a man takes a woman’s idea, claims that it is his own and gets the credit for it

So what can you do? In her book, Feminist Fight Club, author Jessica Bennett suggests the following: find a male ally who sees the problem and put him on bropropriation watch, getting him to point it out when he sees it.
[The Pool, 3 August 2017]

hepeating noun [U]
/hiːˈpiːt.ɪŋ/
a situation when a man repeats a good idea expressed by a woman and acts as though it were his own

Pretty much any woman you ask will have experienced some form of hepeating over the course of her life. For me it was university, where I’d say something in a tutorial and then some guy … would say, ‘Yeah, just coming off the back of that, I was thinking…’ and then say exactly what I had just said without adding anything.
[www.metro.co.uk, 26 September 2017]

About new words

reverse vending noun [U]
UK /rɪˈvɜːs ˈven.dɪŋ/ US /rɪˈvɝːs ˈven.dɪŋ/
the activity of putting empty plastic bottles into a machine so that they can be recycled, and getting a small amount of money back for each one

Detailed work is expected to begin this month on how a “deposit-return” scheme for bottles and cans might work in Scotland. One of the radical schemes likely to be considered is “reverse vending”, where the empty plastic bottles are fed into a network of machines in shops and supermarkets. The system has operated for decades in many Scandinavian countries where recycling rates are about double our own.
[www.bbc.co.uk/news, 4 September 2017]

shop dropping noun [U]
UK /ˈʃɒp ˌdrɒp.ɪŋ/ US /ˈʃɑːp ˌdrɑː.pɪŋ/
the activity of leaving messages hidden in a shop (often in the pockets of a piece of clothing) to raise awareness of the ethical practices of the manufacturer or retailer

In an attempt to shine a spotlight on the ethics of the British fashion industry, its members will be spending the four-day clothing festival in high-street stores near LFW’s Somerset House base engaged in “shop dropping”. This involves creating messages of protest, taking them into retailers and planting them inside the pockets of clothing for consumers to find.
[www.bbc.co.uk/news, 4 September 2017]

slow fashion noun [U]
UK /sləʊ ˈfæʃ.ᵊn/ US /sloʊ ˈfæʃ.ᵊn/
the activity of making and buying clothes that are of high quality and designed to last, with low impact on the environment

In just three years, the British footwear label Dear Frances has won a following that includes Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Sienna Miller, as well as industry accolades … Yet despite its rapid rise, the company remains dedicated to the concept of slow fashion. Each piece is handmade in Italy, and although the label introduces some new styles each season, the core of the business remains its collection of best sellers.
[New York Times, 11 October 2017]

About new words

coffin cubicle noun [C]
UK /ˈkɒf.ɪn kjuː.bɪ.kᵊl/ US /ˈkɑː.fɪn kjuː.bɪ.kᵊl/
a very small living space for one person made from an apartment that has been subdivided into units

The cost of living in a coffin cubicle? Over half of their monthly income. Few have their own bathroom facilities and virtually none have any sanitary space for cooking, washing or eating. Facilities are shared or, worse still, kitchens share space with bathrooms.
[www.theclever.com, 9 October 2017]

broken-heart syndrome noun [U]
UK /ˈbrəʊ.kᵊnˈhɑːt ˈsɪn.drəʊm/ US /ˈbroʊ.kᵊnˈhɑːt ˈsɪn.droʊm/
a temporary medical condition which affects the heart and is usually caused by a stressful or upsetting situation

Once medications stabilised Simpson, the physicians talked to her about the stress in her life, and they told her about broken-heart syndrome. It “made complete sense,” Simpson said. She was sent home after two days, and though she still takes two heart medications, she is doing fine.
[www.independent.co.uk, 20 October 2017]

death cleaning noun [U]
/ˈdeθ kliː.nɪŋ/
the practice of throwing away things you don’t need as you get older, so that after your death your friends or family do not have to deal with a large number of possessions you have left behind

Magnusson says people should start thinking about death cleaning as soon as they’re old enough to start thinking about their own mortality. “Don’t collect things you don’t want,” she says. “One day when you’re not around anymore, your family would have to take care of all that stuff, and I don’t think that’s fair.”
[Time, 17 October 2017]

About new words

stoozing noun [U]
/ˈstuːz.ɪŋ/
the practice of borrowing money on a credit card with a 0% interest rate and then investing the same money in a bank account that pays a high interest rate so that a profit can be made when the original loan is repaid

“Ideally stoozing would be most appropriate for consumers who already have savings and a decent income,” explained Rachel. “This is so that they could leave the deposit untouched in a high interest current account, while also meeting any minimum funding requirements to be eligible for interest, and at the same time managing repayments on a credit card.”
[www.moneyfacts.co.uk, 27 September 2017]

price gouging noun [U]
/ˈpraɪsˌgaʊdʒ.ɪŋ/
the act of increasing the price of goods or services beyond what is considered fair, normally during a state of emergency

As Hurricane Irma … hits the northeast Caribbean, Florida residents are already seeing price gouging for items like water, food and gas as they prepare for the storm that is on track to reach parts of the state by the weekend. Florida State Attorney General Pam Bondi opened a price-gouging hotline for residents to report these instances, and a “high volume of complaints” have already rolled in since it opened on Monday.
[www.time.com, 7 September 2017]

robo-adviser noun [C]
UK /ˈrəʊ.bəʊ.ədˈvaɪ.zəʳ/ US /ˈroʊ.boʊ.ədˈvaɪ.zɚ/
a computer system that uses algorithms and other software to provide financial advice

New customers usually answer online questions about their financial goals and attitude to risk. The robo-adviser then suggests portfolios that it will manage for them. This can be done within minutes.
[Sunday Times, 2 July 2017]

About new words

wild cycling noun [U]
/ˈwaɪld ˈsaɪ.klɪŋ/
the activity of exploring the countryside by bicycle, using only small paths and lanes

Wild cycling is a release: it’s getting back to nature, and even more to our collective childhoods. That’s when most of us first got bikes. Remember how it felt? The freedom, the means to roam and discover places, and the visceral rush of bombing through the woods and bouncing over the bumps. It’s escaping traffic, living in the moment – but above all wild cycling is childlike fun.
[The Telegraph, 3 September 2017]

slow adventure noun [U, sometimes C]
UK /sləʊ ədˈven.tʃəʳ/ US /sloʊ ədˈven.tʃɚ/
a type of holiday involving outdoor activities that allow you to appreciate the natural environment and are not physically demanding

A new adventure concept called ‘slow adventure’ has just been revealed in Northern Ireland … Slow adventure focuses on slow, immersive experiences that engage with nature and provide an opportunity to learn about the local environment, food and wildlife whilst also taking part in an activity … Those who book onto an experience could get to enjoy walking through the Sperrin Mountains foraging for food along the way, bake their own bread the traditional way in a farmhouse kitchen, see how artisan cheese is produced or have a go at traditional fishing and cook their catch on a wild camp fire.
[Outdoor Enthusiast, 11 September 2017]

river bugging noun [U]
UK /ˈrɪv.ə bʌg.ɪŋ/ US /ˈrɪv.ɚ bʌg.ɪŋ/
a type of outdoor activity involving sitting in a very small inflatable boat shaped like an armchair (called a river bug) and being carried along a river where the current is very strong

River bugging is the latest thing to hit the UK shores from New Zealand … After receiving expert instruction from our experienced river bug guides, we’ll get you out on the white water course. You will be complete with your webbed gloves and full wet suit gear, ready to hit the course.
[www.pinkston.co.uk, 28 March 2017]

About new words

napercise noun [U]
UK /ˈnæp.ə.saɪz/ US /ˈnæp.ɚ.saɪz/
a type of exercise class that involves sleeping for a short time

David Lloyd Gyms have launched a new health and fitness class which is essentially a bunch of people taking a nap for 45 minutes. The fitness group was spurred to launch the ‘napercise’ class after research revealed 86 per cent of parents said they were fatigued. The class is therefore predominantly aimed at parents but you actually do not have to have children to take part.
[www.independent.co.uk, 28 April 2017]

sweatworking noun [U]
UK /ˈswet.wɜː.kɪŋ/ US /ˈswet.wɝː.kɪŋ/
any activity that combines exercise with networking, such as going to the gym with business clients

“Sweatworking is about combining your work meetings with your workouts, to the benefit of both,” explains Steven Ward, CEO of non-profit fitness lobby UK Active. “It’s an efficient way to get some exercise while developing a greater rapport with clients and colleagues.” Dubious? Don’t be. Sweatworking is a bona fide thing, and yes, real people are actually doing it.
[Men’s Health, 5 September 2017]

Fitstagrammer noun [C]
UK /ˈfit.stə.græm.əʳ/ US /ˈfit.stə.græm.ɚ/
someone who posts on the social media site Instagram about fitness and healthy eating

The disposition of the Fitstagrammer – or certainly the one he live-feeds on social media to his hundreds of thousands of dedicated digital disciples – is one of unchecked buoyancy. He is a human medicine ball with a lunatic’s smile, a Prozac pill with glutes the size of watermelons. He’s like one of those grinning, gormless punchbags once found at fairgrounds: the harder life hits them the faster they come bouncing back up.
[GQ, 26 July 2017]

About new words

shoefie noun [C]
/ˈʃuː.fi/
a photo of one’s shoes, posted on a social media site

A shoefie—a selfie of your footwear—is the bread and butter of the fashion girl’s Instagram arsenal. After all, in the age of social media, does it even matter that you bought a killer pair of heels if nobody sees it on your grid?
[www.harpersbazaar.com.au, 11 August 2017]

plandid noun [C]
/ˈplæn.dɪd/
a photograph posted on a social media site that is designed to look as though the subject was unaware it was being taken

It’s unclear precisely who coined the term but a quick Instagram search will show you more than 500 plandids of people trying to nail that nonchalant look. You’ll see a stream of people looking oh-so-casually at the ground, or gazing into the horizon. Others will be mid-prance with a hand cocked to a jaunty angle. “Oh, I didn’t even realise you were taking a photo,” is the aesthetic.
[www.mashable.com, 1 August 2017]

bothie noun [C]
UK /ˈbəʊθ.i/ US /ˈboʊθ.i/
a split-screen image of two photos or videos taken using the front- and back-facing cameras of a phone at the same time

Allow me to introduce you to “the bothie.” It’s not a selfie, nor a normal photo … but a hybrid of the two. It’s a composite shot from both cameras on your phone, showing both you and whatever else is out there. It’s a bothie. Crazy idea? Maybe. And yet, if history is any indication, you’ll scoff at the bothie now and then while you’re not looking they will take over the world.
[www.wired.com, 16 August 2017]

About new words

living bridge noun [C]
/ˈlɪv.ɪŋˈbrɪdʒ/
a bridge made of plant roots, usually those of the rubber tree

The Indian state of Meghalaya experiences some of the highest levels of rainfall on Earth. Floods could cut off villages during the monsoon season, but the indigenous Khasi people use the roots of the rubber tree (Ficus elastica) to create so-called “living bridges” to allow crossings throughout the year.
[www.bbc.co.uk/news, 24 March 2017]

forest city noun [C]
UK /ˈfɒr.ɪstˈsɪt.i/ US /ˈfɔːr.ɪstˈsɪt̬.i/
a city with a very large number of plants and trees that absorb substances causing pollution and create a healthy atmosphere

Plans for a green ‘forest city’ that will help to fight pollution are about to become a reality as construction begins on an innovative new project in southern China. The Liuzhou Forest City … is the first ever city of its kind as it will produce 900 tonnes of oxygen and help absorb almost 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 57 tonnes of pollutants every year.
[www.huffingtonpost.co.uk, 30 June 2017]

Wood Wide Web noun [U]
/ˈwʊdˈwaɪdˈweb/
the underground network of roots and fungi that links trees and other plants to each other

The term Wood Wide Web has come to describe the complex mass of interactions between trees and their microbial counterparts underneath the soil. Spend enough time among trees and you may get a sense that they have been around for centuries, standing tall and sturdy, self-sufficient and independent. But anchoring trees and forestry everywhere, and therefore enjoining them into an almost singular superorganism, is a very intimate relationship between their roots and microbes called mycorrhizal fungi.
[The New Statesman, 28 August 2016]

About new words

 

peticure noun [C]
UK /ˈpet.ɪ.kjʊəʳ/ US /ˈpet.ɪ.kjʊr/
a pedicure (a beauty treatment for the feet and toenails) given to pets such as dogs

Ria Winstanley runs the Pet Spa in Chelsea, west London. She doesn’t see the peticure business booming in the UK just yet. She says her salon used to occasionally paint dogs’ nails back when they had an outlet in Harrods, “but we certainly don’t do cats – if you had ever had to groom a cat, I don’t think you’d be asking me that question. When grooming cats, you do what you can, then get out.”
[The Guardian, 13 September 2017]

Continue reading “New words – 29 January 2018” →