Skibidi and Tradwife Redefine English: Cambridge Dictionary’s Bold Update!
Cambridge adds viral words like “skibidi” and “tradwife” to the dictionary.
The Cambridge Dictionary, the world’s largest online dictionary, has expanded its lexicon with over 6,000 new words, capturing the dynamic evolution of the English language driven by social media, remote work, and environmental concerns. Among the standout additions are "skibidi," "tradwife," "delulu," "mouse jiggler," and "forever chemical," announced on Monday, August 18.
"Skibidi," a term popularized by an animated YouTube series, can mean "cool," "bad," or serve as playful gibberish. "Tradwife," short for "traditional wife," describes a married mother who embraces domestic roles and shares her lifestyle on social media. "Delulu," derived from "delusional," refers to believing in unrealistic ideas, often willfully. The rise of remote work has introduced "mouse jiggler," a device or software that simulates activity to feign productivity. Meanwhile, "forever chemical" highlights harmful substances that persist in the environment, reflecting growing climate concerns.
Colin McIntosh, lexical programme manager at Cambridge Dictionary, noted, “Internet culture is reshaping the English language, and it’s fascinating to document these changes.” The dictionary relies on the Cambridge English Corpus, a database of over 2 billion words, to track usage patterns and ensure new entries have lasting relevance. “We only add words with proven staying power,” McIntosh emphasized.
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These additions underscore how digital platforms, societal shifts, and environmental challenges are reshaping language, with the Cambridge Dictionary serving as a vital record of contemporary English usage.
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