English English speaking countries

mentrification

Neologism USED On Rare Occasion BY women

When a field of interest of women is taken over by men, subsequently pushing out the women who were previously there.

"Computer science used to be filled with women until men came in and mentrified the field."

English English speaking countries

touch wood

Idiom USED Frequently BY Most people

Used to express the recognition of somebody's desire to avoid misfortune after saying something confidently.

"I've never had a cavity, touch wood"

English English speaking countries

stan

Word USED Frequently BY Gen Z'ers

Can be used as a noun or a verb to describe an obsessive love of a celebrity. Used frequently on Twitter. Originates from Eminem's song 'Stan', which tells the story of one of his obsessive fans.

"She really stans BTS." "She's a big Taylor Swift stan."

English English speaking countries

shrapnel

Word USED On Occasion BY Older Generations

(n.) • Coins or loose change. Reference to coins being small pieces of metal, like shrapnel.

"Have you got enough shrapnel for the parking meter?"

English English speaking countries

loml

Acronym USED On Occasion BY Gen Z'ers

(n.) • An acronym for 'love of my life'. Often used on Instagram as a caption for a picture of your partner.

"Look at him. #loml"

English English speaking countries

to throw someone in at the deep end

Standard Phrase USED Frequently BY Most People

(v.) • To put someone into a new situation without enough preparation or introduction. Refers to the deep end of a swimming pool.

"They really threw me in at the deep end but I'm getting used to it now."

English English speaking countries

baptism of fire

Standard Phrase USED On Occasion BY Most People

Immediately having to cope with a stressful situation in order to improve.

"How was your first driving lesson?" "It was a bit of a baptism of fire but I enjoyed it."

English English speaking countries

hangry

Portmanteau USED On Occasion BY Most People

(adj.) • To be angry or irritated because of hunger.

"Can you hurry up? I'm starting to get hangry."

English English speaking countries

buy-cott

Word USED On Rare Occasion BY People Opposing Protests

(n.) • Going out of your way to buy from a certain brand that has been boycotted.

“I’ve been buying a lot of t-shirts as part of a buy-cott to save a local business from going under”

English English speaking countries

a little birdie told me

Idiom USED On Occasion BY Some people

This idiom is used playfully not to reveal the source of information about something. Usually, however, the source of the information is obvious. Sometimes rendered as 'A little bird told me'

"How did you know it was my birthday?" "Let's just say a little birdie told me!"

English English speaking countries

final girl

Name USED On Occasion BY people who watch movies

(n.) • The final girl is a trope in horror and slasher movies. It refers to the last girl or woman alive to confront the killer, who either defeats him herself or is saved by others arriving.

"I love a good movie with a final girl"

English English speaking countries

robbing the cradle

Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People

To marry or become romantically involved with a much younger person, especially one from a younger generation or to use a young person for a purpose inappropriate to their age.

“He sure robbed the cradle with his last wife”

English English speaking countries

nose blind

Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People

An inability to smell something due to familiarity with the scent.

“Do you smell that?” “No, but I’m probably just nose blind.”

English English speaking countries

Chrissie

Word USED On Occasion BY Some People

Short form of Christmas

"We need to get Chrissy presents for Bill and his family before they come and visit."

English English speaking countries

brolly

Word USED Frequently BY Some People

A more informal word for an umbrella

'Don't forget to take your brolly, it might rain later!'

English English speaking countries

mid

Slang USED Very frequently BY Teens

An adjective describing something mediocre or bad-quality.

"Mint choc chip icecream is mid."

"Mint choc chip icecream isn't that good."

English English speaking countries

trek

Word USED Frequently BY Young People

A task that takes a lot of effort to complete (or much more effort than what the speaker is willing to give). It is mostly used to explain why someone doesn't want to do something.

"Do you want to go to the chicken restaurant with me?" "No, that's such a trek..."

English English speaking countries

to be over the moon

Expression USED On Occasion BY Some People, 30+

To be really happy about something.

I got the job I really wanted, and I am over the moon about it!

English English speaking countries

bloody hell

Slang USED Very frequently BY Some People

It can be used when you’re really excited, or scared. Can be used in many occasions.

"Bloody hell that test was hard." "Go to bloody hell mate."

English English speaking countries

put the cat amongst the pigeons

Expression USED Frequently BY Most People

Means to cause trouble or upset someone, create social carnage in the same way a cat would behave almost some birds.

"... And then he really put the cat amongst the pigeons when he told her what he thought of her..."