One of the most fascinating things about the English language is that it's constantly shifting, which means that the dictionary needs to be constantly updated to keep up with widely-used terms.
Merriam-Webster recently added a whopping 840 new entries to its dictionary, and many of these words provide a look into how our society is changing. The inclusion of words like "TL;DR" and "Instagramming" indicate just how much technology dominates our current way of life. And words like "guac" and "rando" show how much Millennial slang terms have evolved into ordinary speech.
So read to learn some of the most bizarre recent entries, including ones you've probably never even heard of. And for more guidance on modern parlance, check out 20 Online Dating Terms Older People Don't Know.
1 | Bingeable
ShutterstockAn adjective that refers to a series that viewers are compelled to watch in rapid succession. There are dangers to binging, however, as Science Says Netflix Is Killing Your Sex Life.
2 | Time Suck
An activity "to which one devotes a lot of time that might be better or more productively spent doing other things." Bingeing on a Netflix show or getting into a long Twitter argument with a troll are examples of common time sucks.
3 | TL;DR
This acronym stands for "too long; didn't read," and is indicative of our decreased attention spans and mounting time pressure. You'll often find it at the end of a long Facebook thread, followed by a one-sentence summation of what its basic argument is for people who couldn't be bothered to read the whole thing but want to know what you're going on about.
4 | Instagramming
Yes, the act of putting a photo on your Instagram account.
5 | Biohacking
The inclusion of "biohacking," which is defined as "biological experimentation (as by gene editing or the use of drugs or implants) done to improve the qualities or capabilities of living organisms especially by individuals and groups outside of a traditional medical or scientific research environment," points to growing concerns over the implications of new science.
6 | Fintech
This is a new phenomenon defined as "products and companies that employ newly developed digital and online technologies in the banking and financial services industries." But for words that have fallen out of favor during the digital age, check out 15 Tech Terms from the 90s No One Uses Anymore.
7 | Marg
Millennials are known for being food and drink enthusiasts who express their fondness for a certain item by shortening its length. As such, "marg" is now officially an acceptable way to refer to a "margarita."
8 | Guac
ShutterstockShort for "guacamole," this can be used in tandem with "avo," which is short for avocado. If you're an avo enthusiast, you may be interested in this new scientific study that wants to pay you to eat avocados.
9 | Hophead
ShutterstockA "hophead" is a slang term for a beer enthusiast, and a necessary one, given the popularity of craft breweries. And for more coverage of how we speak, don't miss these 47 Cool Foreign Words That Will Make You Sound Crazy Sophisticated.
10 | Zoodles
little.sous/InstagramThese are "noodles" that are made by stuffing a zuchinni (or "zuke," as it's also called, which has also been added to the dictionary) into a spiralizer, and a popular dish among those who believe in a plant-based diet.
11 | Gochujang
salt.and.sumac/InstagramSriracha is so 2014. Gochujang, a "spicy paste used in Korean cuisine that is made from red chili peppers, glutinous rice, and fermented soybeans," is all the rage now.
12 | Iftar
muhammadshahmeer/InstagramThis is the term for the "meal taken by Muslims at sundown to break the daily fast during Ramadan." Nice to see Americans are becoming more culturally aware.
13 | Mocktail
A drink that includes all of the ingredients of a cocktail except for the alcohol.
14 | Hangry
A combination of "hungry" and "angry."
15 | Ribbie
ShutterstockIt's not what it sounds like. This is actually a used to refer to an RBI—a "run in baseball that is driven in by a batter."
16 | Fav
Short for "favorite," and only to be used when you really, really love something. For more Millennial slang, check out 40 Words People Over 40 Wouldn't Understand.
17 | Adorbs
ShutterstockShort for "adorable," and often used to refer to a very cute photo on Instagram.
18 | Rando
ShutterstockA random person "who is not known or recognizable or whose appearance (as in a conversation or narrative) seems unprompted or unwelcome." Often used when some guy sits at your table and joins your conversation, prompting you to turn to your friend and say, "Who is this rando?"
19 | Bougie
A disparaging form of "bourgeois" which is often used in a self-deprecating fashion, such as, "I can't believe we're having champagne and oysters at 2pm on a Tuesday. We're so bougie!"
20 | Generation Z
Also known as the iGeneration, this is the term for people who were born in the late 1990s and early 2000s. For more on the revolving door of language, check out 100 Slang Terms From the 20th Century No One Uses Anymore.
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