New Words 2020
The following words were added to the Oxford and/or Merriam-Webster dictionaries over the course of 2020.
Blursday (n.) – when everyday is exactly the same (e.g. in lockdown) it is probably Blursday.
Covidiot (n.) – someone who ignores the warnings regarding public health or safety (e.g. toilette paper hoarder; spring breakers; Trump zealots).
Doomscrolling (n.) – the tendency to continue to surf or scroll through bad news, even though that news is saddening, disheartening, or depressing.
Dunning-Kruger Effect (n.) – the theory that a person who lacks skill or expertise also lacks the insight to accurately evaluate this deficit, resulting in a persistent inflation of estimated competence in self-assessments
Ecoanxiety (n.) – anxiety caused by a dread of environmental perils, especially climate change, and a feeling of helplessness over the potential consequences for those living now and even more so for those of later generations.
Empty Suit (n.) – an executive, manager, or official regarded as ineffectual, incompetent, or lacking in leadership qualities such as creativity and empathy.
Gender Reveal (n.) – a party, online video, or other way in which the gender of an unborn baby is publicly revealed.
Hodophobia (n.) – an irrational or disproportionate fear of traveling.
also:
Iatrophobia (n.) – intense fear of doctors.
Nosocomephobia (n.) – intense fear of hospitals.
Tomophobia (n.) – intense fear of surgery.
Information Bubble (n.) – an environment in which one’s exposure to news, entertainment, social media, etc., represents only one ideological or cultural perspective and excludes or misrepresents other points of view.
Ish (adv.) – an adverb used to modify or moderate something previously stated or as a vague reply to a question.
Janky (adj.) – inferior in quality; untrustworthy; disreputable.
Lumbersexual (n.) – a young urban man who cultivates an appearance and style of dress, typified by a beard and check shirt, suggestive of a rugged outdoor lifestyle
Megxit (n.) – the withdrawal of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from royal duties, announced in January 2020
Nothingburger (n.) – an often highly publicized event or situation that is said to have less impact or significance than expected.
Sharent (n.) – a person who uses social media to frequently share photos or other details and information about their child.
Slow-walk (v.) – to delay or prevent the progress of (something) by acting in a deliberately slow manner.
Social Distance (v.) – to maintain a safe or appropriate distance from other people.
Swole (adj.) – very muscular
Truthiness (n.) – a seemingly truthful quality not supported by facts or evidence.
Zhuzh (v.) – to make (something) more lively and interesting, stylish, or appealing, as by a small change or addition.
Not there (yet):
Wealthcare (n): What America’s Despot-in-Chief and his cronies prefer over Obamacare when dealing with their own personal Covid-19 and other health issues.
