street scar noun [C]
UK /ˈstriːt ˌskɑːʳ/ US /ˈstriːt ˌskɑːr/
a patch of asphalt used to repair a road that is not the same colour, or sometimes the same material, as the road underneath it

Telecoms and water companies are creating “street scars” in a “wasteful process” that is marring British high streets, Nicholas Boys Smith has said in a report. He uses the term “street scars” to describe black or grey patches of tarmac that disfigure the paving of streets and pavements, examples of which can be seen all over the UK.
[theguardian.com, 9 February 2024]

gentle density noun [U]
UK /ˌdʒen.təl ˈden.sɪ.ti/ US /ˌdʒen.t̬əl ˈden.sə.t̬i/
a type of urban development that focuses on building small apartment blocks and houses for one family so that the number of people living in that area does not increase severely and suddenly

High-rise towers and large-scale developments are often associated with high density. However, gentle density takes a different approach by integrating with the existing form and character of single-detached home neighborhoods. This design is not imposing and blends in with the surrounding area.
[urbanlogiq.com, 19 April 2023]

grey belt noun [C usually S]
UK /ˈgreɪ ˌbelt/ US /ˈgreɪ ˌbelt/
areas of land around a city or town that contain unused buildings, car parks etc. and that could be used to build houses

The Labour Party has announced a housing initiative to build 1.5mn houses on the UK’s “grey belt”. This plan aims to address the UK’s current housing crisis by releasing grey belt land for development. Explaining the initiative, the Labour Party stated: “When people talk about the green belt, most people think about hills and countryside but actually some green belt land includes poor quality land, car parks, and wasteland.”
[ftadviser.com, 22 April 2024]

See also green belt

About new words

applejuicification noun [U]
UK /ˌæp.ᵊl.dʒuː.sɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌæp.ᵊl.dʒuː.sə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the use of apple juice as the main ingredient in drinks that contain several different fruit juices, especially when this is not made clear in the name or on the packaging

Last week, an X user shocked the internet in a viral thread by pointing out that most mixed juices and smoothies are mainly made from apples. The post looked at 13 juices in a supermarket aisle, noting that the majority were made with 50% apple juice or more, despite not having any apple in the name. It was described as “applejuiceification and the illusion of choice”.
[theguardian.com, 1 April 2024]

dirty soda noun [C]
UK /ˌdɜː.ti ˈsəʊ.də/ US /ˌdɝː.t̬i ˈsoʊ.də/
a sweet, fizzy, non-alcoholic drink, such as cola or lemonade, mixed with cream and other flavourings such as syrups and fruit juice

The latest phenomenon in the beverage world, dirty sodas refer to soft drinks “made dirty” by the addition of flavor-boosting ingredients such as cream, flavored syrups, or fruit juices … Dirty soda “how-to” videos have become standard fare on TikTok of late, and last year the dirty soda concept went mainstream when Sonic Drive-Ins began offering “Dirty Drinks” laced with cream and flavored syrups.
[masslive.com, 8 April 2024]

WaterTok noun [U]
UK /ˈwɔː.tə.ˌtɒk/ US /ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ.ˌtɑːk/
a community on the social media service TikTok where people post videos of recipes for water mixed with different flavoured ingredients

Welcome to “WaterTok,” one of the latest trends taking over timelines. People are creating cocktails of flavored syrups, powder packets, ice, and, obviously, water (traditionally in their large Stanley cups) in an effort to boost their daily water intake.
[fastcompany.com, 11 April 2024]

About new words

brokefishing noun [U]
UK /ˈbrəʊk.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈbroʊk.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/
the practice of pretending to have less money than you really do, in order to trick another person into buying things for you

It turned out that Siobhan had fallen victim to a trend for a misrepresentation of money – sometimes called “brokefishing” – that has been rising as the cost of living continues to bite. You’ll know the perpetrators as the friends who make an empty promise to pick up brunch “next time”. A new riff on catfishing, this is where someone paints a misleading picture of their monetary situation in order to coax you into providing from your own coffers.
[womenshealthmag.com, 6 April 2024]

See also catfishing

tip creep noun [U]
/ˈtɪp ˌkriːp/
the fact that the practice of tipping is gradually spreading to many more services and industries

But ever since the pandemic, during which consumers placed an increased emphasis on supporting essential service workers and establishments, so-called tip creep has begun to invade even the most mundane transactions. Places that normally wouldn’t, like self-checkouts, are now asking for an added dollar or two, usually behind a nondescript digital screen that ultimately shames more than it encourages.
[theweek.com, 19 May 2023]

cheapflation noun [U]
/tʃiːpˈfleɪ.ʃᵊn/
the situation when the price of a product stays the same or increases but its main ingredient is present in a smaller amount or lower quality

A number of major brands stocking chocolate, sauces, fish, meat, and other products in France have been accused of “cheapflation” by a leading consumer watchdog. Under “cheapflation” the amount of a product’s ingredient (sometimes the main part) decreases significantly, or is replaced with a lower quality, cheaper and often unhealthier alternative. At the same time, however, the price of the product increases.
[connexionfrance.com, 7 February 2024]

See also shrinkflation, ripflation, skimpflation, greedflation

About new words

reindeer noir noun [U]
UK /ˌreɪn.dɪə ˈnwɑːʳ/ US /ˌreɪn.dɪr ˈnwɑːr/
crime stories and films set in Lapland

“Reindeer noir” intertwines traditional Nordic noir elements such as dark and brooding atmospheres, complex characters, and intricate mysteries with the unique cultural aspects of Lapland. This fusion creates a distinct sub-genre that explores crime and societal issues in a setting rarely seen in mainstream noir fiction.
[quora.com, 15 December 2023]

See also Nordic noir

romantasy noun [U, C]
UK /rəʊˈmæn.tə.si/ US /roʊˈmæn.tə.si/
a type of fiction that combines elements of romance and fantasy

The American novelist is among a new generation of uber-bestselling authors writing “romantasy”, a portmanteau of “romance” and “fantasy” applied to novels that blend elements of both genres … Romantasy authors are selling well in part because of their huge popularity on social media; Maas’ publisher, Bloomsbury, says that videos with hashtags connected to her books have more than 14bn views on TikTok alone.
[theguardian.com, 2 February 2024]

lostwave noun [U]
UK /ˈlɒst.weɪv/ US /ˈlɑːst.weɪv/
songs and other music whose title and composer are now unknown

Lostwave is the term for music and songs that exist, but are totally lost to time. Lostwave is discovered when people post a song to the internet asking for a name, only to find out that no one knows what song it is. That generally kicks off a major search from the lostwave community to find out what the name of the song is.
[ossiana.substack.com, 12 December 2023]

About new words

DINKWAD noun [C]
UK /ˈdɪŋk.wɒd/ US /ˈdɪŋk.wɑːd/
ABBREVIATION FOR dual income, no kids, with a dog: a member of a young couple in which both partners earn a lot of money and have a dog but no children

“The allure of the DINKWAD lifestyle is solely based on financial and personal freedom from any responsibility,” Ahmed said. Instead, Benfield and Ahmed love to travel, and are both passionate about not having children. They have a beloved rescue mutt named Yvie instead.
[businessinsider.com, 4 February 2023]

See also DINK

guppie noun [C]
/ˈɡʌp.i/
ABBREVIATION FOR given up on property: a young person who has given up on the idea of ever being able to buy their own home

Meet the “guppie”, the yuppie’s descendant. He or she is a young adult on an above average salary (£33,000 for people in full-time work) who has either given up on ever owning a home or accepted that they will have to give up dinners out, holidays and pretty much everything else in order to do so.
[inews.co.uk, 11 August 2023]

See also yuppie

HENRY noun [C]
/ˈhen.ri/
ABBREVIATION FOR high earner, not rich yet: someone who earns a lot of money but has few savings or other assets

Are you among a growing group of people in the U.S. who have a high household income, yet your savings never seem to grow significantly year after year? Believe it or not, there’s a name for that: HENRY. HENRY stands for “High Earner, Not Rich Yet,” and refers to anyone with a high income but low net worth. For HENRYs, it can be frustrating to feel like they’re not getting ahead, even if their income is well above the average.
[wealthkeel.com, 15 December 2023]

About new words

neobank noun [C]
UK /ˈniː.əʊˌbæŋk/ US /ˈniː.oʊˌbæŋk/
a type of bank that provides only online banking services and has no physical branches

Neobanks work similarly to traditional banks and offer the same types of services, yet they perform all available functions online or through a mobile app. Neobanks may also partner with chartered banks to offer their customers FDIC insurance and additional benefits, but those considering a neobank should check to make sure.
cnn.com, 4 March 2024

time bank noun [C]
/ˈtaɪm ˌbæŋk/
a system where the unit of currency is one hour of someone’s time, with the people using the bank exchanging services and skills

A time bank functions much like traditional currency but with a unique twist: it’s measured in hours, not dollars. Every hour spent helping others earns one credit – every hour holds equal value, irrespective of the service provided. It’s a system that stitches communities together by recognizing and honoring the contributions of all participants.
[givingtuesday.org, 5 November 2023]

multibank noun [C]
/ˈmʌl.tiˌbæŋk/
a place where essential items such as food, clothing, toiletries and household goods are given to people who don’t have enough money to buy them

First established 14 months ago in Scotland and since March in Manchester, four new multibanks are set to launch in 2024 including in London, the Midlands and Wales, with the idea that there will be multibanks in different parts of the country by the end of next year.
[standard.co.uk, 19 December 2023]

About new words

WFB noun [U]
ABBREVIATION FOR working from boat: used to refer to a person doing their job while living on a boat rather than travelling to an office, etc. in order to do it

As the trend of working remotely continues, more and more people are evolving Working From Home (WFH) into Working From Boat (WFB). For some, WFB is done intermittently, alternating living and working onshore with occasional cruises on their boat.
[sailworldcruising.com, 18 Nov 2022 ]

See also WFH

wanderpreneur noun [C]
UK /ˌwɒn.də.prəˈnɜːʳ/ US /ˌwɑːn.dɚ.prəˈnɝː/
someone who does not have a permanent office or home and spends time living with their family and working in different towns or countries

I’m here with three kids in tow, making me part of a growing trend for “wanderpreneurs”: digital nomads but all grown-up. Have kids, will travel. For wanderpreneurs, this is a nomadic life but with structure: children are occupied during the day so adults can earn money.
[Sunday Times, 24 March 2024]

See also digital nomad

tethered nomad noun [C]
UK /ˌteð.əd ˈnəʊ.mæd/ US / ˌteð.ɚd ˈnoʊ.mæd/
someone who spends part of their time living and working in a single location and the rest of their time travelling so that they can live and work in different places

So here is the “tethered nomad”—not entirely untethered from traditional work but not anchored firmly to an office space either. This breed of workers seeks to marry the structure of conventional employment with the autonomy of remote working. They’re crafting a hybrid existence, leveraging technology and flexible work policies to work part-time in offices and part-time in settings of their choosing.
[mbopartners.com, 12 January 2024]

See also digital nomad

About new words

kitschen noun [C or U]
/ˈkɪtʃ.ᵊn/
a trend for decorating kitchens in an unusual and interesting way, using bright colours and a mixture of objects of different styles

If you needed any more proof that minimalism was on the way out, look no further than the eclectic “kitschen” trend sweeping social media. But what exactly is “kitschen”, and how can you pull off this quirky, eccentric look in your own home? A mash-up of kitsch and kitchen, “kitschens” are all about embracing a quirky style and creating a unique, characterful kitchen – think vintage finds and a vibrant use of colour.
[housebeautiful.com, 13 February 2024]

See also kitsch

Narnia pantry noun [C]
UK /ˈnɑː.niː.ə ˌpæn.tri/ US /ˈnɑːr.niː.ə ˌpæn.tri/
a small room accessed through a door in a kitchen, used to store food, appliances etc.

But the real status symbol of the invisible kitchen is the “Narnia pantry”, where “you open a cabinet door”, explains Bune Strandh, “and it leads to a hidden utility room – for storage, extra sinks, the dishwasher – where you can get rid of everything if you’re entertaining”.
[telegraph.co.uk, 14 February 2024]

invisible kitchen noun [C]
/ɪnˌvɪz.ə.bᵊl ˈkɪtʃ.ᵊn/
a style of kitchen where appliances, accessories and other objects are hidden away inside large cupboards, making the room more spacious

Invisible kitchens are a minimalist kitchen trend, whereby conventional parts of a kitchen are housed out of sight, often in full-height cabinets. These cabinets open up to reveal kitchen pantries and breakfast bars alike, maximising your kitchen storage ideas. But, when closed, you’d be none the wiser.
[idealhome.co.uk, 6 February 2024]

About new words

unexpected red theory noun [U]
UK /ˌʌn.ɪk.spek.tɪd ˈred ˌθɪə.ri/ US /ʌn.ɪkˌspek.tɪd ˈred ˌθɪr.i/
an interior design trend based on the idea that any room will look more attractive if you add one red item or feature to it, especially if the red looks strange or wrong with the other colours in the room

Unexpected red theory: the viral decorating trend everyone’s talking about. According to TikTok, the newly coined “unexpected red theory” is the secret to making any space look better. Essentially, it’s adding anything that’s red – be it big or small – to a room where it doesn’t match at all, transforming the space in one fell swoop.
[housebeautiful.com, 27 February 2024]

blue card noun [C]
UK /ˌbluː ˈkɑːd/ US /ˌbluː ˈkɑːrd/
a small blue card shown by the referee to a football player who has not obeyed a rule and who is therefore going to be sent to the sin bin

The prospect of sin bins in football has moved a step closer, with it being reported that the International Football Association Board [IFAB] is planning to make an announcement to trial sin bins in the professional game. It is also being reported that officials would carry a blue card to signify a player had been sent to the sin bin. A spell of 10 minutes in the sin bin would follow a blue card.
[tntsports.co.uk, 8 February 2024]

greenstalling noun [U]
UK /ˈgriːn.stɔː.lɪŋ/ US /ˈgriːn.stɑː.lɪŋ/
the act, of a business, of delaying taking action to reduce carbon emissions because of a worry about being criticized for doing the wrong thing or not doing enough

Greenstalling is an approach whereby businesses intend to do the right thing by drastically ramping up decarbonisation efforts, but ultimately get stuck in “analysis paralysis” where they can’t find the right approach to doing it for fear of criticism. It is likely to be a major barrier for businesses just starting out on their net-zero journeys.
[edie.net, 22 February 2024]

About new words

popcorn brain noun [U]
UK /ˈpɒp.kɔːn ˌbreɪn/ US /ˈpɑːp.kɔːrn ˌbreɪn/
a psychological condition where someone cannot keep their mind and attention fixed on anything, thought to be caused by spending too much time on social media

A psychologist has warned against scrolling on your phone and ending up with “popcorn brain”. Yup, popcorn brain. You may already feel like your head is filled with soup – it only having taken two months of 2024 to burn you out – but now you should also worry about your brain popping like pieces of corn according to one psychologist.
[unilad.com, 20 February 2024]

VEXAS noun [U]
/ˈvek.səs/
an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the body and mostly affects men

VEXAS was first identified only two years ago, when it was believed to be a rare inflammatory disease. At the time the condition was discovered and named only 25 men – and no women – were found to be affected. That same year, COVID-19 was spreading across the world claiming thousands – and later millions – of victims. It’s no surprise that VEXAS, with its very limited impact on the population, didn’t make many headlines at the time.
[euronews.com/health, 2 February 2024]

Alaskapox noun [U]
UK /əˈlæs.kəˌpɒks/ US /əˈlæs.kəˌpɑːks/
a virus, discovered in Alaska, that is passed between mammals and occasionally affects humans

An elderly man from Alaska has become the first person to die after contracting Alaskapox – a recently discovered viral disease. Alaskapox, or AKPV, is a double-stranded DNA virus with officials saying it appears to be zoonotic, primarily circulating across Alaska’s state mammals with occasional transmission to humans.
[news.sky.com, 14 February 2024]

About new words