We’re back with a fresh helping of new words for the start of spring!
First up is a word you might have seen making the rounds recently. It’s quiet quitting: ceasing to put special effort into one’s job. We think part of its popularity must stem from the rare and lovely alliteration of Q. Of course it no doubt describes a real phenomenon, too – but rest assured we’ll keep putting in 110%!
Another new word that’s been around lately, especially on social media, is nepo baby. It’s a term for a celebrity, often in the entertainment industry, who has a famous parent. ‘Nepo’ is a shortening of nepotism, implying that the celebrity may have attained their status through favouritism or special treatment rather than talent, so the word can be (but isn’t necessarily) laced with derogatory force.
Let’s turn from babies to aging with our third new word, prejuvenation. Referring to the use of cosmetic treatments to forestall the visible effects of aging, it’s a pun on rejuvenation: making something young again. It’s been circulating for a while now but is steadily gaining currency in our increasingly image-focused society.
To conclude this month’s blog, two final words: first, clapter, which is applause showing agreement with the sentiment behind a comedian’s joke; second, reflexive control – the practice of manipulating someone to willingly act in one’s own interest.
What do you think? Should these new words enter the Macquarie Dictionary?
