Cambridge Dictionary Embraces Internet Slang in 2023

London, Aug 18 (AP) The dynamic evolution of the English language is once again spotlighted, with social media at the helm of this transformation. Among the over 6,000 new entries this year to the Cambridge Dictionary is the slang term “skibidi.”

Colin McIntosh, the lexical programme manager at Cambridge Dictionary, noted the tremendous impact of internet culture on the language. “The way English is evolving due to internet culture is both fascinating and important to document in the dictionary,” he said.

The term “skibidi,” originated from a popular animated YouTube series, carries multiple meanings. It can denote something “cool” or “bad,” or simply be used as a humorous nonsensical utterance.

Joining the lexicon are terms like “tradwife,” a term that merges “traditional wife” and describes a married woman who embraces domestic duties while engaging with social media. Additionally, “delulu” is a shorthand for “delusional,” describing a state of belief in things that are not based on reality, typically by choice.

The pandemic-fueled shift toward remote work has birthed “mouse jiggler,” a software or device designed to give the illusion of work activity when one is not actually working.

Environmental anxieties have driven the inclusion of “forever chemical,” referring to a hazardous chemical that persists in the environment for extended periods.

The Cambridge Dictionary employs the Cambridge English Corpus to gauge how new words are used globally, assessing their frequency and context across a database of over 2 billion words of spoken and written English.

“We’re diligent in selecting words with potential longevity,” McIntosh emphasized. (AP)

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