These are new words or phrases that have caught my eye. My definition of a new word is one which is not in the Macquarie Dictionary online.
Some words seem to have more significance than others in terms of reflecting changes in the Australian culture, so I will give each word a Zeitgeist rating (ZG) within a range of 1-10.
If you disagree with the rating that I give, please argue your case in the comment field provided.
I would love you to contact me if you have made any new word discoveries of your own.
A phobia is a fear that is so irrational or so extreme as to impair our ability to function in a sane and sensible fashion. It is reasonable to be anxious about coronavirus but it is not good when that anxiety becomes extreme.
ZG: 7
Let’s hope that we manage to keep on top of this as we are managing to keep on top of the virus itself. The word, in that case, should have diminishing currency.
Read MoreIt seems that we have reached such a degree of familiarity with the coronavirus that we can shorten it to just corona, as to catch corona. It has been further shortened to rona or the rona.
ZG: 9
It seems that the subtleties of coronavirus any of various viruses of this type, SARS-CoV-2. for the specific coronavirus that we are dealing with now, and COVID-19 for the disease caused by SARS-COV-2, is beyond us. Corona will do.
Read MoreThe bin outing is dress-ups combined with putting out the garbage bins so that the adults in the house can turn a mundane chore into an opportunity to make a splash.
ZG: 7
The bin outing is simple but humorous and can be broadcast online. It seems to be Australia’s contribution to the world of conrona entertainment and community encouragement.
Read MoreLinked to the coronacation is the corona escape. This is when the whole family packs up and heads off to some isolated retreat in the country for an indefinite period to escape the dangers of COVID-19 in the urban environment.
ZG: 7
The time for this is well and truly over but briefly it seemed like a tempting daydream.
Read MoreThis is an enforced holiday brought about by the circumstances around COVID-19. The word is a blend of coronavirus and vacation, combined in a way that is similar to staycation.
ZG: 7
This is a word we will probably choose to remember, even when the need for it has passed, as one that is indicative of the times.
Read MoreUrban Dictionary published COVIDIOT with the meanings (a) Someone who ignores the warnings regarding public health or safety. (b) A person who hoards goods, denying them from their neighbours.
ZG: 10
There has been some astonishment at the panic behaviour and the reckless behaviour exhibited by some members in our community which has prompted increased use of this word.
Read MoreThis is a name for the Southern Cross as used in the Eureka flag, which in the last decade has been associated with right-wing jingoism and racism.
ZG: 6
The Aussie Swazi has attracted more attention as we become increasingly aware of the threat posed to society by right-wing extremism.
Read MoreBackstabbing and frontstabbing appear to have a literal meaning in computer games, where you can stab the enemy from behind or from in front.
ZG: 4
It is a term that is secure in the jargon of computer games but is just beginning to venture into mainstream use. There is a use for it and it is supported by the existence of backstabbing.
Read MoreApparently there is nothing like the anger experienced by a computer gamer who has just been outwitted by the game and killed. In such circumstances gamers simply abandon the game in a fury.
ZG: 5
A term that is high-frequency among gamers but limited in use in other contexts. That said, why would you say that you quit when you could say that you rage-quit. Much more powerful.
Read MoreThe expression to throw shade at someone, meaning to be scornful or disrespectful towards someone, dates back to American college slang of the 1990s.
ZG: 6
The fact that the row within the Royal Family made news around the world has helped to spread this little bit of American slang.
Read MoreA zoomer is a member of Generation Z, born in the early 2000s and characterised as having great facility with digital technology and great social skills.
ZG: 6
Probably OK boomer! produced the greatest media buzz. This retort, coming somewhat late in the day, doesn’t seem to have the same bite.
Read MoreThis is a slow motion selfie taken on an Apple iphone 11 which features a front-facing selfie cam.
ZG: 3
Probably ephemeral. The word has been trademarked by Apple so whether it will escape into general use remains to be seen.
Read MoreThe gesture of dropping the microphone to indicate that the speaker has had the last word originated with rappers and stand-up comedians in the 1980s.
ZG: 7
This is a meme that has yet to run its course as people experiment with dropping things other than mics.
Read MoreThis is a word derived from catfishing. The idea is that most women can’t resist a man with a dog.
ZG: 6
A coinage that will amuse those who visit dating sites and are generally at home in the online world of romance.
Read MoreThis is a put-down from a young person to an old person who is demonstrating that they are out of touch with the contemporary world. The older person doesn’t have to be an actual baby boomer, just someone over forty.
ZG: 8
This is one of those internet memes which has gone around the world. The divide between the older and younger generations is sharper than it has ever been before. This captures it neatly.
Read MoreIt has become the practice of Chinese emigrants to send their very young children back to China to be looked after by their extended family while the parents are establishing themselves in their new country. These children are referred to as satellite babies.
ZG: 3
Not high frequency in Australia but we are becoming aware of the practice. More common in North America where the term originated.
Not high frequency in Australia but we are becoming aware of the practice.
Read MoreA threenager is a three-year-old who behaves like a teenager, has attitude and wilfulness and a total disregard of reason.
ZG: 7
The terrible twos has been such a thing for so long with parents that it is surprising to find the this new term competing with it. Possibly labels help parents to cope.
Read MoreThe step from sporting jargon to polliespeak is a small one these days, so it comes as now surprise to find that Hail Mary has been liberated from the finance pages and can be used more generally for any desperate strategy.
ZG: 7
This seems to be one of those buzz words that pops up with increasing regularity.
Read MoreInside baseball refers to esoteric knowledge known only to experts in the field.
ZG: 6
There is a need to distinguish between ordinary knowledge and expert knowledge. This flags the world of the specialist quite neatly so it may stick around. It is certainly on the rise at the moment.
Read MoreThe recent concerns about the increased strength of the drug MDMA that was turning up in Australia introduced me to terms like double droppingand triple dropping. This is basically taking two or three pills at once
ZG : 6
While drug-taking is not for everyone, the prevalence of it among young people has risen to alarmingly high levels. These words are part of the general discussion that is taking place at the moment.
Read More
