adminABOUT 500 new words and phrases have been added to the Oxford English Dictionary in the tome’s quarterly update <http://public.oed.com/the-oed-today/recent-updates-to-the-oed/june-2015-update/>, including several that provide an insight into 21st century hobbies, such as “sexting”, “photobombing”, “vaping” and “crowd funding”.
Other gems included in the latest version of the dictionary are the words “meh” and “werk”, as well as more complex ones like “Enviropig” — the trademark for a genetically modified line of Yorkshire pigs with enhanced digestive capabilities — and “pharmacovigilance”, which denotes the practice of monitoring the effects of drugs after they have been licensed for use.
These regular updates to the dictionary are designed to reflect the evolution in the English language which is naturally, constantly in motion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the growth in technology, many of the new words we are adopting are closely related to innovations in tech and digital culture.
We have identified the new words and concepts that we believe are most likely to be used regularly by WIRED readers. Here are some of the words and their meanings.
Jeggings — Designed to look like jeans but have stretch in them like leggings. Unlikely to cut off circulation like skinny jeans.
Tenderprenuer — A South African term for person in government who abuses power to get government contracts.
Photobomb — The term, which means to insert yourself into someone else’s photo, has only just bombed its way into the OED. Auto-tune Device used to correct out-of-tune vocal performance.
Coasteering — Adventure sport involving scrambling rocks, jumping off cliffs and swimming in the sea.
Stagette — Canadian hen do.
Drumble — To be lazy, sluggish or mumble when speaking.
Hard arse — Someone who rigorously instils a specific set of standards.
Stanky — Used mainly in America to describe someone or something smelling unpleasant.
Buko — Slang for “much”. I”ve earned buko cash this week.
Diabulimia — A disturbing new eating disorder in which people with Type 1 diabetes deliberately give themselves less insulin than they need, to help weight loss.
The Enviropig — A genetically altered pig, or “Frankenswine”, as critics call it, that is better at digesting phosphorus in plants.
Handsy — The term to describe someone who’s frisky and can’t keep their hands to themselves.
Hyphy — Pronounced hi-fi, it’s a term for uptempo hip-hop music originating in California and associated with a frenetic dancing.
Koozie — That thermal foam sleeve-thing you put round a can or a bottle to keep it cool, but never know what to call? Well, it’s called a koozie — although quite why, is unclear.
On-trend —Very fashionable, that is. “that coat is so on-trend”.
Sh*tshow — The not very pleasant term used to describe an event or situation that is chaotic or controversial. — Online.
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