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.
This phobia, sometimes spelled fatphobia, is, very simply, the fear of being fat.
ZG: 8
With the increase in the number of obese people, and the increase in the complexity of how to treat obesity, I would expect fat phobia to be on the rise.
Read MoreThis is a pattern of behaviour exhibited by someone who wishes to dominate another person, usually one in a relationship with them.
ZG: 6
On the one hand it is good that we are recognising the subtleties of abuse and coming up with terms to identify them. On the other hand it does unfortunately seem to be a growth area of the language.
Read MoreAir rights are the rights which a landowner has to the space above that land. There are ways in which this ownership is developing into a market in air rights.
ZG: 4
More a matter for big property developers than the individual homeowners, but interesting as a method of getting money for the conservation of buildings.
Read MoreThe concierge parent differs from the helicopter parent in that, while the helicopter parent is hovering overhead to protect the child from any danger, the concierge parent is there to solve all of life’s problems for the child.
ZG: 5
Discussions of parenting styles can be relied on to surface in the media from time to time. This one may seem a niche term but it will probably pop up again.
Read MoreWe regard the Swedes as being responsible for introducing this concept, death clean being a literal translation of the Swedish name for it, but it is an idea that resonates. People are aware that when they die someone is going to have to clean up their belongings.
ZG: 5
Not a common practice yet but an idea that has a certain appeal.
Read MoreThis term was new to me although it has apparently been around in the US since the 1980s with reference to the aging population.
ZG: 7
Our population is aging so it is nor surprising that we have new terms to express this idea, some of them containing a sense of threat.
Read MoreWe have been used to the idea of nuns taking the veil and becoming brides of Christ, but we need to go back to the practices of the early Church to get an understanding of this new role of the consecrated virgin.
ZG: 4
A niche word for a niche role in society, but a nun who gets out and about should be more visible to most of us than one in the cloister.
Read MoreWe have witnessed the creation of the consent guardian, a person employed by a nightclub, bar or dance venue to oversee what is happening and be there to help someone who is feeling threatened in any way.
ZG: 7
The unicorn with the light-up help beacon is an appealing idea and an elegant solution to monitoring behaviour without being too much of a wet blanket. I suspect that we will have more consent guardians as owners and managers of venues do not want to be held accountable for the bad behaviour of attendees.
Read MoreThe backpacker has morphed into the begpacker, the backpacker who begs in the streets.
ZG: 5
The role that tourism plays in countries where both the economy and the culture are impacted by the visitors has always under question. The begpacker seems to be particularly upfront in taking advantage.
Read MoreThe world is full of suffering. It is our duty to reduce suffering. The simplest most effective way to not increase the total world suffering is not to procreate. It is better to stop the problem before it even starts. This is the fundamental tenet of antinatalism.
ZG: 4
I cannot believe that such a negative view of life will attract more than a fringe following.
Read MoreThe lifestyle designer is the person you ask to reshape your life.
ZG: 8
The notion of finding suitable employment in life has changed so much over the last thirty years that I really feel I would like to start over again. I think back to my first job taking the tea trolley around in an accountancy firm. Such a job and such a workplace would be inconceivable to the lifestyle designers and their protégés.
Read MoreThis seems to have become popular in the jargon of business and politics where it means a point at which there is intense tension and conflict.
ZG: 5
A catchy bit of jargon but not hugely significant. Alliteration always gives a phrase staying power.
Read MorePlogging is the combination of jogging with picking up litter. It began as a Swedish activity but has gone around the world.
ZG: 4
I have not seen a plogger yet on the track that I can see from my window. When I see one I will up my enthusiasm.
Read MoreWe have seen the rise of vertical family living, the increase in the number of families with small children occupying apartments in high-rise buildings close to the city centre.
ZG: 7
Anything to do with shifts in housing patterns is big news in Australia.
Read MoreThe social robot robot of the future will have a pleasant smile and an urbane manner, and be sensitive to our moods and needs.
ZG: 5
Developments in robotics are happening at speed but, even if I do end up with a robot that smiles at me, I suspect that I won’t rate it highly.
Read MoreI think this is an instance of an Australian TV scriptwriter pulling in an Americanism as a bit of colloquial bling.
ZG: 1
Read MoreScott Morrison is our first Pentacostal prime minister, espousing a brand of religion that suits the aspirations of Western capitalism.
ZG: 7
Read MoreGiven that there is considerable enthusiasm for keeping people in their own homes as they grow older, the need for the elderly sitter will only increase.
ZG: 7
Read MoreIn the open banking system financial information is networked and accessed through communications software to improve access to it for all parties.
ZG: 4
Read MoreThis is, literally, a house in which things grow, but the things that grow in a grow house are the rather special plants called marijuana.
ZG: 6
Read More
