alonement space noun [C]
UK /əˈləʊn.mənt ˌspeɪs/ US /əˈloʊn.mənt ˌspeɪs/
a designated area in an office where an employee can go to work in silence and privacy, without being distracted by their colleagues

Employers should also be thinking about providing “alonement spaces” in the office, where people, used to working in peace and quiet at home, can go off and work without distractions, says the Deel Market Lead. “It’s like having your own mini-fortress of solitude without leaving the office,” he explains.
[howto.stuff.co.uk, 19 January 2025]

EX noun [U]
/ˌiːˈeks/
abbreviation for ’employee experience’: the time an employee spends working for a company, from their initial job application to when they leave, and how it makes them feel

A positive employee experience has more to do with human experiences than it does structural processes. Organizations that focus on the human element of EX are better positioned to build and foster a more meaningful workplace experience across the organization and the employee journey.
[wellright.com, 12 June 2024]

naked quitting noun [U]
UK /ˌneɪ.kɪd ˈkwɪt.ɪŋ/ US /ˌneɪ.kɪd ˈkwɪt̬.ɪŋ/
leaving a job without having another job to go to

Naked quitting is essentially telling your boss to shove it without having another gig lined up. It’s like jumping out of a plane without a parachute, except instead of plummeting to your doom, you’re free-falling into unemployment. Young Chinese workers, fed up with relentless workloads and diminishing returns, coined the term “naked quitting” on social media, and it spread faster than office gossip.
[pedestrian.tv, 23 August 2024]

About new words

mattress run noun [C]
/ˈmæt.rəs ˌrʌn/
the activity of booking and paying for a hotel room you don’t need to allow you to earn points or rewards on its loyalty programme

A mattress run aims to rack up loyalty points and their subsequent rewards, or to reach a hotel chain’s elite member status more quickly. When conducting a mattress run, the hotel “guest” might not even go to or stay in the room. Pulling off the travel trend simply requires checking in and checking out of the reservation so you reap the benefits.
[travelnoire.com, 27 December 2024]

green stay noun [C]
UK /ˌgriːn ˈsteɪ/ US /ˈgriːn ˌsteɪ/
a stay in a hotel that actively tries to minimize its environmental impact, for example by reducing waste and conserving water

Just a few minutes’ walk from the station is Hotel Florence Nice, one of the first hotels to gain the European Ecolabel. It’s a great place for a green stay – don’t miss the honey that’s produced from the hotel’s 3 rooftop hives where thousands of bees produce an average of 40kg of honey a year!
[greentraveller.co.uk, 4 January 2025]

Hotel of Mum and Dad noun [S]
UK /həʊˌtel əv ˌmʌm ən ˈdæd/ US /hoʊˌtel əv ˌmɑːm ən ˈdæd/
a humorous way of referring to parents whose adult children still live in the family home, often for financial reasons

The Bank of Mum and Dad is becoming the Hotel of Mum and Dad, new research reveals, with the housing crisis leading to a rise in young adults living with their parents. The proportion of 25- to 34-year-olds residing with their parents has increased by more than a third in just under two decades, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies in its “Hotel of Mum and Dad?” report.
[thetimes.com, 11 January 2025]

About new words

artificial superintelligence noun [U]
UK /ˌɑː.tɪˌfɪʃ.ᵊl ˌsuː.pər.ɪnˈtel.ɪ.dʒᵊns/ US /ˌɑːr.t̬əˌfɪʃ.ᵊl ˌsuː.pɚ.ɪnˈtel.ə.dʒᵊns/
a type of artificial intelligence that is much more intelligent than any human and can think, act, learn etc. independently and beyond the abilities of people

Artificial superintelligence (ASI) is a hypothetical software-based system with intellectual powers beyond those of humans across a comprehensive range of categories and fields of endeavor. An ASI system has yet to exist and is only currently theoretical. To be considered ASI, a model would need to excel beyond human ability at a range of tasks at a very high level.
[techtarget.com. 7 January 2025]

XAI noun [U]
/ˌeks.eɪˈɑɪ/
a type of artificial intelligence designed to make its decisions and processes easier for humans to understand

Sometimes, how AI reaches its output is ambiguous. In certain cases, it’s actually impossible to understand (maybe even for those who designed the AI program). So, how can we trust AI-produced accurate results if we cannot see the reasoning behind it? Explainable AI, otherwise known as XAI, aims to create transparency in this opaque aspect of AI.
[thedecisionlab.com, 10 June 2024]

agentic AI noun [U]
UK /eɪˌdʒen.tɪk eɪˈɑɪ/ US /eɪˌdʒen.t̬ɪk eɪˈɑɪ/
a type of artificial intelligence that can make decisions and take actions without the need for human input

While previous AI assistants were rules-based and had limited ability to act independently, agentic AI will be empowered to do more on our behalf. But what, exactly, is agentic AI? “You can define agentic AI with one word: proactiveness,” said Enver Cetin, an AI expert … “It refers to AI systems and models that can act autonomously to achieve goals without the need for constant human guidance.”
[hbr.org, 12 December 2024]

About new words

barndominium noun [C]
UK /ˌbɑːn.dəˈmɪn.i.əm/ US /ˌbɑːrn.dəˈmɪn.i.əm/
a type of house made of metal or wood that combines a large, open-plan living space with a garage or workshop

Interpretations vary, but many in the housing industry define today’s barndominiums — barndos, for short — as large metal structures with high ceilings, open-plan layouts, and garages or workshop areas. “The goal would be as much square footage as you can fit on the site,” said Andy Wiker, a pre-construction project manager at Conestoga Buildings, which builds barndos throughout the Northeast. “People want to play basketball in their living room.”
[nytimes.com, 19 December 2024]

See also barn, condominium

shouse noun [C]
/ʃaʊs/
a type of home where a large workshop is attached to the living area

Firstly, a shouse is a business owner’s dream, whether you’re a carpenter, woodworker, crafter or simply someone who needs a large space for working in. Gone are the days of having to drive somewhere else to do your work, you can simply have it in your house instead—but still have it in a completely separate space.
[thespruce.com, 9 October 2024]

pocket office noun [C]
UK /ˈpɒk.ɪt ˌɒf.ɪs/ US /ˈpɑː.kɪt ˌɑː.fɪs/
a small area in a house used as a workspace

In today’s fast-paced world, the need for flexible, efficient, and multipurpose spaces is more important than ever. Enter the pocket office – a compact, versatile area that takes up less space than a traditional office but offers endless possibilities for work, hobbies, and personal projects. Perfect for younger generations and families alike, pocket offices are quickly becoming a must-have in modern homes.
[verticalbuilders.com, 28 June 2024]

About new words

noctourism noun [U]
UK /ˈnɒk.tʊə.rɪ.zᵊm/ US /ˈnɑːk.tʊr.ɪ.zᵊm/
tourist activities that are designed to take place at night

Luxury travel company Wayfairer Travel said noctourism experiences rose 25% in the past year, with requests for Northern Light viewings in Norway and Iceland, but also night diving in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Egypt’s Red Sea. Nocturnal wildlife safaris in Zambia and Kenya and stargazing in Chile’s Atacama Desert are also popular.
[cnbc.com, 29 December 2024]

doom tourism noun [U]
UK /ˈduːm ˌtʊə.rɪ.zᵊm/ US /ˈduːm ˌtʊr.ɪ.zᵊm/
visiting places that soon may not exist or be suitable for visiting because of environmental issues such as climate change

There’s an obvious paradox to “doom tourism”: the very act of travelling to visit a threatened region or species can accelerate its demise. Well-meaning media coverage of climate challenges in a region can then contribute to increased volumes of visitors: images of flooding or accounts of habitat losses can then lead to tourists seeking “exotic” travel to choose these locations as their next destination.
[workingabroad.com, 19 May 2024]

quietcation noun [C]
/ˈkwaɪ.ətˌkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a holiday where the focus is on spending time in silence

A quietcation is a vacation that gives you a break from the noise and hustle of the modern world, prioritizing more mindful, slow travel that doesn’t require a vacation from your vacation. A quietcation can vary depending on just how much silence you’re looking for — you can find everything from a wellness resort where you participate in a noise-free breakfast or walking meditation to an outdoor trek with just you and the sounds of nature.
[bustle.com, 21 January 2025]

About new words

painsomnia noun [U]
UK /peɪn.ˈsɒm.ni.ə/ US /peɪn.ˈsɑːm.ni.ə/
the condition of being unable to sleep, over a period of time, because you are in physical pain

“Painsomnia”, as it is commonly known, affects an awful lot of bad sleepers, manifesting itself in everything from nerve and muscle pain to joint and bone discomfort. There are a number of reasons why pain can be worse at night … All of which mean that if your sleep is disturbed at the end of the cycle, you’re more likely to be woken up by it.
[telegraph.co.uk, 6 April 2024]

See also insomnia

techquity noun [U]
UK /ˈtek.wɪ.tɪ/ US /ˈtek.wɪ.t̬ɪ/
the use of technology to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to access adequate healthcare, for example by ensuring resources are distributed fairly

A sustainable, equitable expansion of telehealth requires long-term commitment from policymakers, health care providers and technology companies to advance techquity. Together, we must address disparities in technological access as we continue investing to broadly integrate telehealth into health care delivery on a national scale.
[medcitynews.com, 10 October 2024]

corridor care noun [U]
UK /ˈkɒr.ɪ.dɔː ˌkeəʳ/ US /ˈkɔːr.ə.dɚ ˌker/
the activity of providing medical treatment to hospital patients in a space not intended for that purpose, such as a corridor, waiting room or cupboard

I have been fortunate not to have experienced the extreme nature of corridor care that is becoming an everyday occurrence at other hospitals. We have not yet resorted to beds lining the corridors, but I have seen an increase in the conversion of non-clinical spaces to areas where we are seeing and treating patients.
[health.org.uk, 14 February 2024]

About new words

fraudbot noun [C]
UK /ˈfrɔːd.bɒt/ US /ˈfrɑːd.bɑːt/
a type of computer program that uses AI to pretend to be an online customer in order to carry out fraudulent activities

Introducing the fraudbot – a chatbot that impersonates customers and tries to open fake accounts, reopen closed accounts, or access real customer data. Not only do fraudbots pose a security risk to your customer information, but they waste valuable agent time.
[tethr.com, 7 November 2022]

See also bot

viewbot noun [C]
UK /ˈvjuː.bɒt/ US /ˈvjuː.bɑːt/
a type of computer program that uses AI to make a piece of online content, such as a social media post, appear to have been viewed more times than it actually has

Employing a viewbot allows your channel and content to gain more visibility by artificially inflating your view count. This can attract real viewers who may not have otherwise discovered your stream. Over time, the real viewers gained from increased exposure may replace the viewbot viewers.
[medium.com, 17 January 2024]

aidbot noun [C]
UK /ˈeɪd.bɒt/ US /ˈeɪd.bɑːt/
a type of computer program that uses AI to deliver aid such as food, clothes or medicine as quickly and efficiently as possible to the people who need it

Hania created the “aidbot” to narrow the gap between the demand and supply of aid. The aidbot is a chatbot – a type of AI system designed to communicate with its users online – that links to WhatsApp. It is programmed to ask simple questions about the types of aid people require along with their names and locations.
[bbc.co.uk/news, 11 January 2025]

About new words

gate lice noun [plural]
/ˈgeɪt ˌlaɪs/
an informal way of referring to people who crowd around the boarding gate at an airport and try to board the plane before their assigned row or section has been called

American Airlines has announced it is expanding its new technology to end a process known as “gate lice,” which is when passengers cut lines in hopes of boarding a flight early. The system audibly flags when a passenger attempts to board the plane before their designated assignment is called and will automatically reject the ticket.
[nypost.com, 21 November 2024]

check-in chicken noun [U]
/ˌtʃek.ɪn ˈtʃɪk.ɪn/
a strategy where an air passenger delays checking in for a flight until the last minute with the aim of being assigned a better seat

There’s a new type of passenger causing chaos in the airport – those playing “check-in chicken”. The latest category of flyer applies to travellers who wait to book a seat until check-ins are almost closed in the hope of scoring the best available seats.
[independent.co.uk, 10 December 2024]

Wilma noun [U]
/ˈwɪl.mə/
abbreviation for window, middle, aisle: a process for boarding a plane where all the passengers in window seats board first, followed by those in middle seats and finally those in aisle seats

A year ago United Airlines introduced the “Wilma” system — where all window-seat passengers board first, then middle seats, then aisle, a sort of “outside in” technique, which the airline claims saves around two minutes per flight — rather than getting the passengers at the back in first, as is more common.
[thetimes.com 8 December 2024]

About new words

DYOR abbreviation
UK /ˌdiː.waɪ.əʊˈɑːʳ/ US /ˌdiː.waɪ.oʊˈɑːr/
abbreviation of “do your own research”: a basic principle of the cryptocurrency market, encouraging buyers to research and understand all the risks and benefits of a cryptocurrency deal before they invest in it

As we enter the bull market, keep in mind that “DYOR” isn’t just some disclaimer-like catchphrase – it’s an essential practice that separates savvy crypto users from gamblers. Done correctly, DYOR should help inform crucial crypto decisions, mitigate risks, and maximize opportunities.
[coinmarketcap.com, 18 December 2023]

crypto agility noun [U]
UK /ˌkrɪp.təʊ əˈdʒɪl.ə.ti/ US /ˌkrɪp.toʊ əˈdʒɪl.ə.t̬i/
the ability of an organization to quickly adapt and change the methods it uses to encrypt its data to protect it from cyberattacks

Once a niche concern for IT professionals, crypto agility has evolved into a critical issue that impacts all organizations and employees, from executives to interns … As cyber threats evolve, particularly with quantum computing, crypto agility helps keep your systems secure.
[fastcompany.com, 6 November 2024]

meme coin noun [C]
/ˈmiːm kɔɪn/
a type of cryptocurrency based on an internet meme or other online trend and usually created to be amusing rather than for its value as an investment

Welcome to the $100 billion market for meme coins, crypto’s wildest — and dumbest — moneymaking craze. Nearly 13 million coins have already been created in 2024. The best-known meme coin, Dogecoin — inspired by a Shiba Inu dog — is the sixth-most-valuable cryptocurrency in the world. But it’s not for the faint of heart: Meme coins have no intrinsic value, an incredibly short shelf life, and are even more volatile than bitcoin.
[forbes.com, 13 November 2024]

About new words

root-to-tip adjective
/ˌruːt.təˈtɪp/
using all the different parts of a vegetable in cooking, so that none of it is wasted

This project will see the launch of a “Living Laboratory” at King’s, where the project team will develop and test “root-to-tip” recipes that use more of the plant (i.e. peels and stalks) … The study [will research] the positive impact of root-to-tip dining on dietary intake and nutrition, as well as the impact on reducing food waste, through development of unique recipes.
[kcl.ac.uk, 15 August 2024]

See also nose to tail

fin-to-gill adjective
/ˌfɪn.təˈgɪl/
using as many parts of a fish as possible in cooking, so that none of it is wasted

A new “fin-to-gill” seafood restaurant inspired by the Greek islands will open in Marylebone in June. No part of the fish will be left unused, with bones and spines turned into broths and lesser-used parts – the head and throat, for example – grilled simply, as they are in traditional Greek kitchens.
[standard.co.uk, 27 April 2023]

estate-to-plate adjective
/ɪˌsteɪt.təˈpleɪt/
describes an approach where a chef cooks food that is grown or produced within the estate where the restaurant is located

It’s the Yorkshire landscape that inspires me most; at Forge we follow an estate-to-plate ethos using the produce growing in the gardens and across the 200 acres of parkland.
[livingnorth.com, August 2024]

About new words