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]

See also honeymoon, babymoon

About new words

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]

About new words

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]

About new words

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]

About new words

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]

About new words

recession blonde noun [U]
UK /rɪˌseʃ.ᵊn ˈblɒnd/ US /rɪˌseʃ.ᵊn ˈblɑːnd/
a darker shade of blonde hair that costs less to maintain because it needs fewer visits to the hairdresser

Recession blonde refers to the darker, more brown-tinted hue that many are letting grow in with their normally bright, golden strands. TikTok users explain that while it may look like “old-money blonde,” letting their natural roots grow actually points to how the economy is affecting their spending habits; many are opting out of their touch-up appointments to save money.
[vogue.com, 17 March 2025]

meta face noun [U]
UK /ˈmet.ə feɪs/ US /ˈmet̬.ə feɪs/
a trend where photos that have been enhanced using AI technology make everyone look similarly flawless and unrealistically beautiful

The rise of the “meta face” reflects a broader trend towards digital hyper-perfection in beauty standards. AI technology has the potential to democratize beauty but also risks reinforcing exclusive and unrealistic ideals … Emphasizing authenticity and diversity can help counteract the negative effects of the “meta face” trend.
[insighttrendsworld.com, 3 February 2025]

butter skin noun [U]
UK /ˈbʌt.ə skɪn/ US /ˈbʌt̬.ɚ skɪn/
a beauty trend where skincare and makeup products are used to create a very soft, smooth and glowing complexion

If you’re on social media, you’ll be familiar with the term “butter skin”. For the uninitiated, the trend, which depicts a smooth, butter-like skin finish, has been making waves online, with TikTokers showing how to recreate the soft-focus look via certain make-up techniques, smooth application and skincare steps.
[elle.com, 9 April 2025]

About new words

advergame noun [C]
UK /ˈæd.və.ɡeɪm/ US /ˈæd.vɚ.ɡeɪm/
an advertisement that takes the form of a video game

Disney is sprinkling a new kind of playable ad across Hulu and ESPN. The new ad format, called “advergames,” will let you interact with the ads using your remote. You might see two different advergames to start: Quiz Show and Beat the Clock.
[theverge.com, 14 June 2024]

SoLoMo noun [U]
UK /ˈsəʊ.ləʊ.məʊ/ US /ˈsoʊ.loʊ.moʊ/
abbreviation for social, local, and mobile: a marketing strategy where information and offers about local companies and services are sent to people on social media or to their mobile phones

SoLoMo is not just a marketing buzzword, but a powerful strategy that can help businesses connect with consumers more effectively in today’s digital world. Harnessing the combined power of social media, local targeting and mobile marketing can give businesses a competitive edge and help drive growth.
[mailrelay.com, 20 November 2024]

GEO noun [U]
UK /ˌdʒiː.iːˈəʊ/ US /ˌdʒiː.iːˈoʊ/
the practice of creating content that search engines using AI can understand

Are you familiar with the term “generative engine optimization,” or GEO? Although relatively new, this acronym may become 2025’s biggest marketing buzzword. Here’s why: Gemini, ChatGPT and other large language models play an increasingly important role in search, and GEO is the process of optimizing online content to influence them.
[forbes.com, 31 January 2025]

About new words