Society has always influenced what we wear, what we watch, and the way we talk. Now, in the 21st century, social media has rubbed off on our word choices. While these recent additions to the Oxford English Dictionary aren’t suitable for a class paper, they sure are fun to use for other occasions.
Twerk: “dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance”
Dad dancing: “awkward or unfashionable dancing to pop music, as characteristically performed by middle-aged or older men”
Selfie: “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website”
Babymoon: “a relaxing or romantic holiday taken by parents-to-be before their baby is born”
Food baby: “a protruding stomach caused by eating a large quantity of food and supposedly resembling that of a woman in the early stages of pregnancy”
Digital detox: “a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world”
Squee: “a cry of delight or excitement.”
Bromance: “a close but non-sexual relationship between two men”
Girl crush: “an intense and typically non-sexual liking or admiration felt by one woman or girl for another.”
A/W: “autumn/winter (denoting or relating to fashion designed for the autumn and winter seasons of a particular year)”
Double denim: “a style of dress in which a denim jacket or shirt is worn with a pair of jeans or a denim skirt, often regarded as a breach of fashion etiquette”
Flatform: “a flat shoe with a high, thick sole”
