«

»

Jan 01

New Words 2015

The following new words have been recognized by the Oxford, Cambridge and Merriam-Webster dictionaries over the course of 2015.

 

butt-dial (v.): Inadvertently call (someone) on a mobile phone in one’s rear trouser pocket, as a result of pressure being accidentally applied to a button or buttons on the phone;

 

emoji (n.): Any small image or icon used in electronic communication;

 

fur baby (n.):  A person’s dog, cat, or other furry pet animal;

 

hangry (adj.): Bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger;

 

jeggings (n.): A legging that is designed to resemble a tight-fitting pair of denim jeans and is made of a stretchable fabric;

 

Mx (n.): A title, like Mr. or Ms., used by those who wish to avoid specifying their gender;

 

photobomb (v.): To move into the frame of a photograph as it is being taken as a joke or prank;

 

pwn (v.): (Especially in video gaming) utterly defeat (an opponent or rival);

 

rage-quit (v.): Angrily abandon an activity or pursuit that has become frustrating;

 

rando (n.):  A person one does not know, especially one regarded as odd, suspicious, or engaging in socially inappropriate behavior;

 

twerk (v.):  Sexually suggestive dancing characterized by rapid, repeated hip thrusts and shaking of the buttocks, especially while squatting;

 

WTF (abbrev.) What the f—!  Used especially to express or describe outraged surprise, recklessness, confusion or bemusement;

 

Bonus entry [from yours truly]

 pocket yoga (n.): what guys do when we get to the cash window at a drive through.