On the 18th, Cambridge University Press announced that in the past year, its online dictionary has added over 6,000 new words, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang such as “skibidi,” “delulu,” and “tradwife.” The inclusion of these words reflects the profound impact internet culture has on the English language.
According to Cambridge University Press, the term tradwife is a portmanteau of “traditional wife” and refers to “women who have returned to traditional gender role divisions.” This term has become widely popular on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, reflecting a trending but controversial movement advocating for women to return to traditional gender roles. However, this advocacy has also sparked some debate.
Skibidi originated from the YouTube animation meme “Skibidi Toilet,” meaning “cool,” “terrible,” or even having no actual meaning at all. This word is especially popular among the highly digital Gen Alpha, and is linked to “brainless” content.
Delulu comes from “delusional,” used to describe “a person who is overly optimistic, living in unrealistic fantasies.” The Cambridge Online Dictionary even cites Australian Prime Minister Albanese’s use of “delulu with no solulu” in a parliamentary speech as an example, showing that it has entered mainstream language.
Remote Work and Environmental Issues Also Give Rise to New Words
Besides the slang of younger generations, new work models and social issues have also spurred the creation of new terms. For example, “mouse jiggler” refers to a device that keeps your computer appearing online during remote work. In addition, “forever chemical” reflects growing concerns about climate change and environmental pollution.
Other new entries include “lewk,” meaning a unique fashion style, which became popular thanks to the American reality television show “RuPaul’s Drag Race”; and “inspo,” an abbreviation of “inspiration.”