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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]
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A few years ago on this blog, we published a post on words that mean ‘funny’. It recently occurred to me that we should also look at the opposite, so today’s post looks at the language we use to describe things or people that are serious – sometimes too serious.
Continue reading “It’s no laughing matter! (Words that mean ‘serious’)”
neocloud noun [C]
UK /ˈniː.əʊˌklaʊd/ US /ˈniː.oʊˌklaʊd/
a start-up that specializes in AI-based cloud computing
The race to dominate the AI industry is heating up, and it’s not just big tech in the spotlight. Startups known as “neoclouds” are redefining the landscape, competing with established giants … The rise of neoclouds represents a shift in how AI infrastructure is built and deployed. As the AI revolution unfolds, the contributions of neoclouds will undoubtedly play a crucial role.
[tlciscreative.com, 24 January 2025]
smartphone face noun [U]
UK /ˈsmɑːt.fəʊn ˌfeɪs/ US /ˈsmɑːrt.foʊn ˌfeɪs/
the situation where an actor’s face looks too modern for them to be believable in a drama set in the past
In a nutshell, “smartphone face” refers to people who look as though they’re from modern times. But when placed in a different time period for a play, TV show or even a movie, there’s just something about them that doesn’t feel believable, even after the makeup and costume departments have worked their magic.
[yahoo.com, 17 May 2023]
DPP noun [C]
/ˌdiː.piːˈpiː/
abbreviation for digital product passport: an online record of important information about a product, such as what it is made of and what its impact on the environment is
Industrial and electric vehicle batteries will be the first products to have mandatory DPPs, from 2027. Other product categories, including textiles, are expected to follow by 2030 … Manufacturers will often have multiple suppliers for the same raw materials and components, so items that look alike could have different carbon footprints. The data in the DPP will reflect those differences.
[bbc.co.uk, 1 March 2024]
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by Liz Walter
My last post looked at idioms that come from the sport of boxing. This post presents some more common sporting idioms. Back in 2019, I wrote about idioms with the word ‘ball’. I won’t repeat those here, but there are plenty of others!
Continue reading “Open goals and jumping the gun: more sporting idioms”
eggflation noun [U]
/egˈfleɪ.ʃᵊn/
a significant increase in the price of eggs, normally because of higher production costs or shortages
So-called ‘eggflation’ – a phenomenon that’s seen the price of eggs rise by as much as 15% – is skyrocketing, with prices for the breakfast and baking essential scrambling to record highs. Factors range from bird flu outbreaks to rising production costs, but while some nations are grappling with a full-blown egg affordability crisis, others are getting off relatively lightly.
[lovemoney.com, 20 March 2025]
bi-globalization noun [U]
UK /ˌbaɪ.gləʊ.bᵊl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌbaɪ.gloʊ.bᵊl.əˈzeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a situation where the world economy is divided into two major centres of power rather than operating as a single global market
What’s ‘bi-globalization’ and could this be the near future for geo-economics and global trade? Geo-economic bi-globalization is underpinned by the logic of geopolitical competition and reflects structural changes in international power. The challenge now is to help manage coexistence in a situation of geo-economic competition.
[weforum.org, 19 December 2024]
negative wealth noun [U]
UK /ˌneg.ə.tɪv ˈwelθ/ US /ˌneg.ə.t̬ɪv ˈwelθ/
the situation where someone owes more money than the value of everything they own
Gen Z and young millennials are battling a “negative wealth” problem due to growing debt burdens that limit their life chances, according to a new analysis from the Fairness Foundation. The thinktank says negative wealth, where debts outweigh assets, is linked to lower wages and worse health in later life.
[theguardian.com, 5 April 2025]
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This week’s post is a companion to one that I published last December on the language of embarrassment. That post focused on the feeling of being ashamed or shy in the company of others. Today’s post looks at the related theme of feeling or appearing foolish or making someone feel this way.
Continue reading “It’s so humiliating! (The language of feeling foolish)”
burnt toast theory noun [S]
UK /ˌbɜːnt ˈtəʊst ˌθɪə.ri/ US /ˌbɝːnt ˈtoʊst ˌθɪr.i/
the idea that a minor inconvenience, like burning your toast in the morning, might actually be preventing something worse happening later in the day
Small snags or setbacks — like spilling your coffee or waiting in a long line at the gas station — can derail your day. But the burnt toast theory is a belief that those minor inconveniences can lead to a positive outcome at a later time — for example, maybe you miss rush-hour traffic or maybe you arrive at work just in time to walk into the office with a friend.
[https://health.clevelandclinic.org/, 9 April 2025]
orange peel theory noun [S]
UK /ˈɒr.ɪndʒ piːl ˌθɪə.ri/ US /ˈɔːr.ɪndʒ piːl ˌθɪr.i/
the idea that someone’s love for their partner is demonstrated through small acts of kindness, like peeling an orange for them, rather than big romantic gestures
At the end of the day, we all deserve people who show up for us and meet our needs of love, no matter how small or trivial those needs may be. I think that’s the core of the orange peel theory. Sometimes, the simplest acts are the clearest expressions of affection. If you’re lucky enough to have someone who peels your orange without hesitation, maybe it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate that as a sign of great love.
[dailycal.org, 21 November 2024]
invisible string theory noun [S]
UK /ɪnˌvɪz.ə.bᵊl ˈstrɪŋ ˌθɪə.ri/ US /ɪnˌvɪz.ə.bᵊl ˈstrɪŋ ˌθɪr.i/
the idea that two people who are destined to be together are connected by an invisible string that will eventually enable them to find each other
The invisible string theory follows the idea that you are connected to your soulmate via a metaphorical string. While this belief can provide hope and comfort, it can also lead to people staying in an unhealthy relationship due to a perceived destined connection.
[healthline.com, 20 May 2025]
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by Liz Walter
Back in 1974, the world looked on as Muhammed Ali beat the great George Foreman in the thrilling boxing match known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. Foreman’s recent death was a reminder of that contest, and also of just how many boxing terms have made their way into general idiomatic use. This post will cover a few of the most common ones.
Continue reading “The gloves are off: idiomatic phrases from boxing”
femgore noun [U]
UK /ˈfem.gɔːʳ/ US /ˈfem.gɔːr/
horror stories focusing on female characters who commit acts of violence rather than being the victims
Historically, horror has often cast women as passive victims—screaming final girls, damsels in distress, or helpless figures of innocence. In contrast, femgore puts women in control of the narrative. These are stories where the female protagonist doesn’t run from the monster—she is the monster.
[vocal.media, 19 April 2025]
litRPG noun [U]
UK /ˈlɪt.ɑː.piːˌdʒiː/ US /ˈlɪt.ɑːr.piːˌdʒiː/
stories that are set in the world of a role-playing game, where characters can progress through levels and gain points in the same way as someone playing a real video game
LitRPG, short for Literary Role Playing Game, brings the strategic elements of role-playing games to science fiction and fantasy. These stories feature game-like mechanics and mirror the progression-based nature of RPGs … In litRPG novels, characters aren’t just wandering aimlessly in a game; they live, breathe, and are often acutely aware of the RPG mechanics at play. In fact, their success hinges on mastering these very game elements.
[campfirewriting.com, 20 November 2024]
See also RPG
hopepunk noun [U]
UK /ˈhəʊp.pʌŋk/ US /ˈhoʊp.pʌŋk/
stories that focus on optimism, kindness and positivity in the face of challenges
Enter hopepunk books, a rising literary genre that’s capturing hearts with its radical optimism, defiant kindness, and belief in the power of human connection. If you’re looking for stories that celebrate empathy, resilience, and the fight for a better future, hopepunk novels are your next must-reads.
[https://nickycammarata.medium.com/, 24 February 2025]