One vote for snogging over bed rotting

It’s often said that language is a living thing. That’s true at least in one respect: It grows.

Each year, English dictionaries add a few hundred to 1,000 new words, so if you’re keeping up, speaking what’s likely your native tongue is a lifelong pursuit of learning. 

Old English of the Middle Ages contained an estimated 50,000 words. Today’s English includes somewhere between 171,000 and well over a million words, depending on the dictionary consulted (some include more seldom-used or technical words).

So far in 2024, Oxford English Dictionaries has added more than 1,000 new words (and phrases). Merriam-Webster, at least 200 — both formal and slang. Here’s a handful from each to expand your English lexicon:

Amok (not the kind you think): n. A Cambodian or Thai dish made with fish and coconut milk

Breakfasty: adj. Characteristic, redolent, or reminiscent of breakfast

Bed rotting: v. Lying in bed all day with snacks and an electronic device

Cash grab: n. The greedy pursuit of money

Degeneratism: n. A theory or belief that humans tend to decline physically, mentally or morally as they evolve

For You page (FYP): n. A social media feed containing content based on the user’s interests (think TikTok and click-driven content)

Fishability: n. Suitability for fishing

Girl dinner: n. A casual meal of small plates or snacks, typically for one person (originated on social media)

Gunny: n. (second definition) A gun owner or enthusiast

Misclick: v. To accidentally press a mouse button or touch a screen

Mic drop: n. and v. Intentionally dropping a microphone after a speech or performance, to signify its end or add emphasis.

Pash rash: n. Chafed skin from kissing someone with a beard or stubble

Shadow ban: (-ning, v.) or n. Temporarily hiding a social media user’s content from others without their knowledge; a.k.a. stealth banning, ghost banning and comment ghosting.

Snog: v. to kiss or cuddle. British term gaining ground in U.S.

Windbag (windbagging, windbaggy): To talk or write at length in a tedious or pompous manner, without substance

At the risk of becoming one, I’ll stop here.

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email: sholeh@cdapress.com.