There are new words introduced continuously into the English language that are eventually added to dictionaries and become part of our everyday vocabulary. All of the major English dictionaries recently added special, coronavirus-related updates, giving us a glimpse into how language can quickly change in the face of unplanned social, medical and economic change. These are in addition to all of the other interesting, mew words that we present here. Thanks to the Oxford English dictionary for all these great, fresh definitions. Write how YOU use these new terms in the comments!
| To Zoom– To communicate with (a person or group of people) over the internet, typically by video-chatting, using the Zoom application.
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Dad Joke- an unoriginal or unfunny joke of a type supposedly told by middle-aged or older men. |
| Physical (or Social) Distancing-The action or practice of maintaining a certain physical distance from, or limiting physical contact with other people.
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Binge-watch- Watch multiple episodes of a television series in rapid succession. |
| Staycation-a vacation spent at home or in the area of one’s home.
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Chillax- Calm down and relax. |
| Sheltering in Place– to maintain a safe or appropriate distance from other people, especially to slow the spread of a contagious illness or disease. | Selfie- A photograph that one has taken of oneself with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.
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| Frenemy- a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry. | Escape Room – A room in which people are locked in order to play a game requiring them to solve a series of puzzles within a certain amount of time to accomplish a goal, typically finding the key to unlock the room. |
