This generation is committing murder every year. The Millenials are murdering the English language.
Technically, I was born just at the start of the Millenial era, but I’m taking a stand for our vocabulary—and for keeping brainless words out of the dictionary.
The Millenials have introduced new words into our vocabulary that leave you shaking your head in wonder. Most of the words don’t even make sense, and your only recourse is to head to Google to figure out what someone was just trying to tell you.
Fortunately, terms like “vacay” and “hilare” haven’t been recognized yet. But quite a few new “words” found their way into the dictionary this year. So to help you navigate the waters of 21st Century “grammar” I’ve compiled a list of a few words which have somehow found their way into the online annals of Oxford.
I’ve listed the dictionary definition exactly as Oxford states, but the italics are my own special contribution.
apols
Definition: apologies
We’re so busy as a culture that when we do wrong, we can’t even take the time to say the full phrase I A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E.
babymoon
Definition: a relaxing or romantic holiday taken by parents-to-be before their baby is born
Sweet concept, but I apols for thinking that this was the new term for the moon barely being out at night.
BYOD
Pronunciation: By-odd (just kidding)
Definition: the practice of allowing the employees of an organization to use their own computers, smartphones, or other devices for work purposes
BYOD, BYOB, whatever. Still sounds like something you shouldn’t be toting along.
derp
Definition: used as a substitute for speech regarded as meaningless or stupid, or to comment on a foolish or stupid action
Goodbye DUH, hello DERP. Tell me, who’s more of a derp? The derp or the person using the word derp?
digital detox
Definition: 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
Mark my words, next up for our culture is rehab from technology.
double denim
Definition: 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
I guess I’m guilty of breaching etiquette . . . along with the rest of Texas.
fauxhawk
Definition: a hairstyle in which a section of hair running from the front to the back of the head stands erect, intended to resemble a Mohican haircut (in which the sides of the head are shaved)
Forget the faux. If you’re going to have a Mohawk at least go all out and do the real thing.
FOMO
Pronunciation: fəʊməʊ (no kidding)
Definition: anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website
I’m sure there are people studying in college to become psychologists who specialize in FOMO disorders. Just get off Facebook, people. Works wonders!
food baby
Definition: a protruding stomach caused by eating a large quantity of food and supposedly resembling that of a woman in the early stages of pregnancy
Speechless. Utterly speechless.
girl crush
Definition: an intense and typically non-sexual liking or admiration felt by one woman or girl for another
“Innocent” words like these are desensitizing our morals.
grats
Definition: congratulations
First, we ditched the “-lations” and shortened it down to “congrats”. Slippery slope, that butchering of language is.
jorts
Definition: denim shorts
I sincerely hope this doesn’t get wide usage. I just am not up for hearing that word on commercials or seeing it on advertisements.
me time
Definition: time spent relaxing on one’s own as opposed to working or doing things for others, seen as an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy
Considering that a large majority of our population does this 24/7, I’m almost surprised it took this long for “me time” to get into the dictionary.
phablet
Definition: a smartphone having a screen which is intermediate in size between that of a typical smartphone and a tablet computer
Alright. I confess. I have a phablet. . . and I use this word.
selfie
Definition: a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website
Words cannot describe how much I hate this word. It’s up there with “bestie” in my book.
srsly
Definition: short for seriously
No one is going to take you seriously if you leave those vowels out.
squee
Definition: used to express great delight or excitement
See, I told you we were losing it as a generation. Whatever happened to laughing? Oh right, it changed to LOL.
unlike
Definition: withdraw one’s liking or approval of (a web page or posting on a social media website that one has previously liked)
It used to be that if you had a difference with someone, you talked it out like mature adults. Now you just unlike them on Facebook. Crazy.
Our newsletter will help you grow your Christian business or ministry online:
Disclosure: Some of the links on our website are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, we will receive an affiliate commission. We only recommend products or services that we feel will add value to our followers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
