A decade of neologisms

Here’s a selection of The Guardian’s favorite neologisms of the last ten years.

These words and expressions were all coined in particular parts of the world in specific years: they’re principally slang and jargon, catching on but still waiting to be formalized into our dictionaries.

My favorite from the list is:

1.  generica: features of the American landscape (strip malls, motel chains, prefab housing) that are exactly the same no matter where one is

I may use this word in a future book.  I love it.

And my nine runners-up include:

2.  witches’ knickers: shopping bags caught in trees, flapping in the wind

It’s tragic that this word even exists, but it’s a good one.

3.  meh: boring, apathetic or unimpressive

4.  sandwich generation: those caring for young children and elderly parents at the same time (usually “baby boomers” in their 40s or 50s)

5.  elevens: the creases between one’s eyebrows from squinting or frowning

6.  fogging: children showing minimal reaction to or agreeing with the taunts of a bully

I’ll teach this one to my students, but it’s also tragic that this word exists.

7.  New York rain: water that drips annoyingly from air-conditioners onto passers-by

Brilliant.

8.  glamping: glamorous camping

9.  push present: an expensive gift given to a woman by her husband in appreciation for having recently given birth

10.  menoporsche: the phenomenon of middle-aged men attempting to recapture their lost youth by buying an expensive sports car

I may be able to use this word with a friend of mine soon.  How joyous.