New words I probably won't be using

The Cambridge Dictionary recently announced the inclusion of 6,000 new words mainly derived from their common usage in social media. I fear those words will simply be added to an already lengthy list of vocabulary I am totally unfamiliar with. As one observer noted “internet culture is changing the English language”.

- Roger Crutchley

Among the newwords cited is “skibidi” which doesn’t have a definitive meaning but apparently can mean “cool” or “bad” in a jocular manner depending on the circumstances. Then there is “delulu” an abbreviated form of delusional, meaning to believe in things that are not true. The word gained some street cred earlier this year when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a speech in Parliament in which he used the expression “delulu with no solulu’

I'm sure one word we will be hearing quite frequently is “broligarchy” translating as “a small group of men who are extremely rich and powerful, and who have or want political influence” Now I wonder who they could be?

One of the new words I just about understand is “tradwife” meaning a spouse who concentrates on traditional home life with husband and family.

Another new expression that probably deserves a mention is “mouse jiggler” meaning someone who is pretending to work when they are actually playing silly games.

Well, that’s enough of that. My memory cells are diminishing so rapidly anyway there simply isn’t room to store any new words.

Quick groan

One profession that loves to play with words is that of stand-up . They have been active at the Edinburgh Fringe which wrapped up last week and have released a shortlist of 19 jokes that they felt warranted a mention. They are not exactly sidesplitting but here are three worthy perhaps of a quick groan: