paycation noun [C]
/peɪ.ˈkeɪ.ʃən/
a job that allows someone to work remotely while visiting other cities and countries

In the wake of the pandemic, a seismic shift occurred in the realm of work and travel. Companies were forced into flexible work policies allowing employees to work from anywhere with an internet connection. Now, in 2024, they’re calling it a paycation, a trend that allows seekers to blend their professional (or entrepreneurial) responsibilities with a desire to explore the world.
[ytravelblog.com, 28 April 2024]

Quit-Tok noun [U]
UK /ˈkwɪt.tɒk/ US /ˈkwɪt.tɑːk/
a trend on TikTok where people post videos about quitting their job, often commenting on the lack of job satisfaction or work–life balance that was the reason for their resignation

Quit-Tok refers to the trend of employees, primarily Generation Z, sharing videos of their resignation or layoff stories publicly … on TikTok. These videos often capture the raw emotion of the moment, from the tense build-up to the liberating feeling of finally quitting a job. Quit-Tok videos vary in format, from filming live Zoom resignations to documenting the moment a resignation letter is handed in.
[peoplemattersglobal.com, 10 August 2024]

hushed hybrid noun [U]
/ˌhʌʃt ˈhaɪ.brɪd/
a way of working that involves someone dividing their time between working in the office and working remotely, without formal agreement from their employer

In order to keep their best employees, some companies are opting for stealth tactics. Enter the rise of “hushed hybrid”, where bosses allow some employees to carry on working from home – even if company policy states otherwise. The downside of hushed hybrid is that it can introduce an unfair bias where some teams or workers appear to be favoured and get special treatment over others.
[metro.co.uk, 26 September 2024]

About new words

BIN attack noun [C]
/ˈbɪn əˌtæk/
abbreviation for “bank identification number attack”: a type of fraud where the first six digits of a credit card are used to generate a large number of possible credit card numbers, with any valid numbers being used to pay for goods illegally

Unlike card cracking, where a stolen list of valid credit cards is used, BIN attacks use automated bots and scripts to generate countless payment card numbers randomly, iterating through valid BINs and trying random account digits. These bots also attempt to bypass security controls, such as verification of payment card number checks.
[fingerprint.com, 14 February 2024]

TOAD attack noun [C]
UK /ˈtəʊd əˌtæk/ US /ˈtoʊd əˌtæk/
abbreviation for “telephone-oriented attack delivery attack”: a type of fraud where a criminal contacts someone by phone, text or email and tricks them into giving information such as passwords, bank account details etc.

Although the phrase “TOAD attack” may sound bizarre, it’s a descriptor for a dangerous new attack type plaguing businesses. TOAD stands for telephone-oriented attack delivery, a form of multi-layered phishing attack that combines elements like text or instant message, voice, or email with social engineering to trick users into disclosing proprietary, personal, or financial data.
[itpro.com, 13 May 2024]

MITM attack noun [C]
/ˌem.aɪ.tiːˈem əˌtæk/
abbreviation for “man-in-the-middle attack”: a type of fraud where a criminal accesses communication between two other people without either of the other people knowing, then steals information such as bank account details

Another common source of MITM attacks is public wifi hotspots. Public wifi routers have fewer security protocols than home or workplace wifi routers. This makes it easier for nearby users to connect with the network. But it also makes it easier for hackers to compromise the router so they can eavesdrop on internet traffic and collect user data.
[ibm.com, 11 June 2024]

About new words

rucking noun [U]
/ˈrʌk.ɪŋ/
a type of exercise that involves walking while wearing a very heavy rucksack or backpack

Taking things to the next level, rucking involves walking or hiking with a weighted backpack for a low impact workout aimed at improving strength and cardiovascular fitness. This slow-burning workout is by no means new, resurging from military training as a trusted method to improve fitness.
[until.co.uk, 19 January 2024]

runglasses noun [plural]
UK /ˈrʌnˌglɑː.sɪz/ US /ˈrʌnˌglæs.ɪz/
a style of sunglasses that people sometimes wear when they are running

You were glued to the women’s 100m final last night and are eagerly awaiting the heptathlon — is it time to hit the track yourself? Maybe not, but why not steal your favourite athlete’s look instead? “Runglasses”, those visor-style shades that the world’s speediest can’t get enough of, are turning out to be the summer accessory and are already a hit on the festival scene.
[thetimes.com, 4 August 2024]

VILPA noun [U]
/ˈvɪl.pə/
abbreviation for: vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity: a way of keeping fit that involves short periods of very energetic exercise as part of your everyday life, such as climbing stairs or walking instead of taking a bus

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, carrying groceries, vacuuming and washing floors, or playing with the kids are just some of the activities that could be considered VILPA. Just put a little more oomph into your activity to raise your heart rate for a minute or so and those chores turn into VILPA gold.
[until.co.uk, 19 January 2024]

About new words

thinification noun [U]
UK /ˌθɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌθɪn.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the process by which devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches are increasingly being designed to be as thin as possible

Remember when phone makers were racing to make their phones as thin as possible? The trend slowed down considerably in the past couple of years, but it appears Apple is about to bring it back in a big way. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple isn’t done with the thinification of its product portfolio. Gurman claims that Apple plans to launch a “significantly skinnier” phone in 2025. The company is also reportedly working on making its MacBook Pro, as well as Apple Watch, thinner.
[mashable.com, 17 June 2024]

appification noun [U]
UK /ˌæp.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌæp.ə.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the process by which information, services etc. are increasingly accessed through mobile apps rather than through computer programs or traditional websites

The appification of life has been so subtle that it’s easy to miss the essential pillars. They are dependence and convergence. Dependence, because there’s no other way. You can’t pay cash, no one answers the phone and it’s increasingly hard to pay for anything without a tiresome struggle not to give up your own personal information. App developers know that machines are more patient than humans: they’re counting on you to run out of resilience and cough it all up eventually.
[newstatesman.com, 22 May 2024]

nomadification noun [U]
UK /nəʊ.ˌmæd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /noʊ.ˌmæd.ə.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
the process by which people are becoming more mobile, often moving to different cities and countries and working remotely rather than living and working in one place for a long time

Medellín is still in the early stages of nomadification — the last year has seen a boom in arrivals, according to data collected by Nomad List. In some hot spots, nomads are starting to meet greater resistance. In Latin America, Mexico City is the epicenter of the nomad boom. Relaxed Covid-19 policies in 2021 led to a rush of influencers advertising the lifestyle.
[restofworld.org, 23 May 2023]

See also digital nomad

About new words

anti-airport dad noun [C]
UK /ˈæn.tiˌeə.pɔːt dæd/ US /ˈæn.t̬iˌer.pɔːrt dæd/
the father of a family who has a relaxed attitude towards travel, often arriving at the airport with very little time to spare or almost missing their flight, or anyone who behaves in this way when travelling with a group

Just like being an airport dad, being an anti-airport dad is a lifestyle. This trend has recently started growing on TikTok as a response to the thousands of videos showcasing their hyper-organized dads. The claim is simple: not every dad is, in fact, on top of it when it comes to traveling. Some of them are just chaos, hence the anti-airport dad … An anti-airport dad can be easily recognized by the use of one specific catchphrase: “I’ve got plenty of time.”
[thrillist.com, 29 June 2023]

See also airport dad

skiplagging noun [U]
/ˈskɪp.læg.ɪŋ/
a way to save money that involves booking a flight with a stopover but deliberately not getting back on the plane for the final part of the journey

Skiplagging is buying a ticket for a connecting flight, with a layover in the city that’s the real destination for the traveler. Flyers disembark after the first leg and simply fail to board the second. Often the fare is cheaper than if they’d actually bought a direct flight to their desired destination. At least two websites now help unearth these deals for consumers.
[nytimes.com, 8 August 2023]

justication noun [C]
UK /ˌdʒʌs.tɪ.ˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/ US /ˌdʒʌs.tə.ˈkeɪ.ʃᵊn/
a holiday you justify to yourself that you need even though there are good reasons not to take it, such as not being able to afford it

The latest buzzword capturing attention is “justication,” which combines “justify” and “vacation.” The concept of “justication” refers to taking a vacation despite financial constraints or other reasons that might typically discourage travel. This trend is increasingly common … many travelers justify their trips due to a strong desire for a break, even if it strains their budgets.
[exoticplacestotravel.com, 31 July 2024]

About new words

proptech noun [U]
UK /ˈprɒp.tek/ US /ˈprɑːp.tek/
abbreviation for “property technology”: the business of using technology to buy and sell property in new ways

The real estate industry has undergone a significant technological transformation in recent years, and the word “proptech” has firmly come into common use. But this concept is so broad that you may even have no idea that the tool you’re using actually refers to proptech. In fact, proptech real estate solutions apply to all processes throughout the lifecycle of a property.
[solveit.dev, 27 October 2023]

tech prepper noun [C]
UK /ˈtek prep.əʳ/ US /ˈtek prep.ɚ/
someone who believes that a war or disaster will happen soon, and who makes sure they have reliable technology-related equipment and knowledge in order to be ready for it

You’re prepared for everything; with the tools you need to go off the grid at a moment’s notice. However, if your bug-out bag is missing a rugged laptop, you can’t rightly call yourself a tech prepper. Tech resilience is crucial for digital preparedness in unpredictable circumstances … Tech preppers have the tools and expertise they need to live off the grid, even if traditional infrastructure falls apart.
[bobjohnson.com, 27 March 2024]

See also prepper

cloudwashing noun [U]
UK /ˈklaʊd.wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈklaʊd.wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
the act of marketing an old computer product or service as cloud-based when it is not, or mostly not, to take advantage of the popularity of cloud computing and make more money from the product or service

Cloud computing is low-maintenance, cost-effective and highly scalable – in fact, it’s nothing short of game-changing. But if you’re not vigilant, you could fall into the trap of procuring cloud software that’s traditional software in disguise. It’s called cloudwashing, and it’s becoming more common.
[rae.co.za, 17 March 2024]

See also -washing

About new words

noctalgia noun [U]
UK /nɒkˈtæl.dʒə/ US /nɑːkˈtæl.dʒə/
a feeling of sadness felt by some people because light pollution means they can no longer see a dark sky at night

The faster-than-expected growth in earthly and celestial lights is affecting human and ecological health. But it is not just our biology being affected. The night sky is also cultural. Stories, practices, and traditions both religious and secular rely on it … And so we now have “noctalgia” to define that specific feeling of a loss of a dark night sky. The cure for it is not difficult. It mostly needs political will. There are many ways to reduce light pollution.
[iflscience.com, 20 September 2023]

heat inequality noun [U]
UK /ˈhiːt ɪn.ɪˌkwɒl.ə.ti/ US /ˈhiːt ɪn.ɪˌkwɑː.lə.t̬i/
the situation where people in poor countries suffer the effects of hotter weather more than people in richer countries do, with more of them dying as a result

Heat inequality is causing thousands of unreported deaths in poor countries and communities across the world, a leading analyst of climate impacts has warned, following global temperature records that may not have been seen in 120,000 years.
[guardian.com, 16 August 2024]

carbon farming noun [U]
UK /ˈkɑː.bᵊn ˌfɑː.mɪŋ/ US /ˈkɑːr.bᵊn ˌfɑːr.mɪŋ/
the activity of growing crops in a way that captures and stores as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the soil as possible, thereby reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and helping to fight climate change

Carbon farming, ultimately, buys us time, Crawford believes. The world wants to get to net zero by 2050. None of the existing solutions for removing atmospheric carbon will scale fast enough to have an impact in the coming decades, Crawford says. This is why nature-based solutions are crucial.
[wired.com, 18 April 2024]

About new words

 

BYOAI abbreviation
UK /ˌbiː.waɪˌəʊ.eɪˈaɪ/ US /ˌbiː.waɪˌoʊ.eɪˈaɪ/
abbreviation for “bring your own artificial intelligence”: the practice of companies saying that employees can use their own artificial intelligence tools when at work

The potential benefits of BYOAI are substantial. Allowing individuals to select their own AI toolkit enables a more personalized approach to technology in the workplace, catering to the specific needs and styles of each employee, team, or department. This customization leads to greater autonomy (closely linked to job satisfaction), fosters innovation, and enhances productivity by enabling employees to work in more effective and enjoyable ways.
[mindport.ca, July 2024]

See also BYOD

AI washing noun [U]
UK /ˌeɪˈaɪ wɒʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˌeɪˈaɪ wɑː.ʃɪŋ/
the behaviour of a company or organization that tries to make people believe that it is using AI to make its products or services better, when really it is not doing this or is only partly doing it

When it comes to AI washing, there are several types. Some companies claim to use AI when they’re actually using less-sophisticated computing, while others overstate the efficacy of their AI over existing techniques, or suggest that their AI solutions are fully operational when they are not.
[bbc.co.uk/news, 27 June 2024]

See also -washing

AIaaS noun [U]
/ˌeɪ.aɪˌeɪ.eɪˈes/
abbreviation for “artificial intelligence as a service”: a service that allows businesses to buy a variety of AI tools and capabilities from a single platform

AIaaS works like other cloud-based services, providing AI products and services via an “as a service” model. It can help you effectively collect and store as much data as you want. AIaaS is easy to implement, enabling businesses and individuals to experiment with various public cloud platforms, machine learning algorithms, and services.
[geekflare.com, 19 July 2024]

About new words

centibillionaire noun [C]
UK /ˌsen.tɪˌbɪl.jəˈneəʳ/ US /ˌsen.t̬ɪˌbɪl.jəˈner/
someone who has assets and investments worth at least 100 billion dollars, pounds, etc.

It took the dot-com bubble to create the first centibillionaire, Bill Gates, whose Microsoft shares briefly pushed him beyond 11 figures in 1999 before the crash chopped his net worth nearly in half. No one would come close for almost two decades … Jeff Bezos finally cracked the code anew in late 2017, becoming the second $100 billionaire when Amazon rocketed toward $1 trillion in market capitalization.
[forbes.com, 2 April 2024]

meme stock noun [C]
UK /ˈmiːm ˌstɒk/ US /ˈmiːm ˌstɑːk/
a share in a company that becomes popular with investors through social media

Many investors flock to meme stocks because they can realize substantial returns in a short period … Julio Bedolla, wealth manager at LourdMurray, explains some of the psychology that drives people to trade meme stocks: “Investors are drawn to meme stocks for several reasons; the biggest, in my opinion, is FOMO (fear of missing out) on the next ‘get rich quick’ trend.”
[money.usnews.com, 2 July 2024]

bag holder noun [C]
UK /ˈbæg həʊl.dəʳ/ US /ˈbæg hoʊl.dɚ/
an investor who owns shares in a company that have gradually lost all their value and are now worth nothing

Value investors who seek underpriced stocks run a high risk of becoming bag holders. They buy stocks that are out of favor in the market, believing their price will rebound. This means that they even invest in stocks that have declined in value significantly. In such cases, there’s always a chance that the market may know more than them, and the security price drops further.
[wallstreetmojo.com, 4 April 2024]

About new words