By Joanna Campbell Slan
Each news cycle brings phrases and words into our daily vocabulary. Given the news cycle this week, I’ve been reflecting on a few:
1* “Walk it back” – Not exactly a retraction. More like a softening of a position. Back-peddling.
2* “Double down” – To put more emphasis on something, or put more weight behind a position.
For more on these two terms, here’s an engaging article that appeared in the Huffington Post:
3* “On the back foot” – and – “On the front foot” – The former describes being at a disadvantage. The latter is an aggressive position, or an advantage. These terms are a British import.
4* “Disinvite” versus “Uninvite” – The former is to purposefully rescind an invitation to a specific person. This is considered much more negative than to “uninvite,” which is a more generalized retraction of an invitation, and usually not directed toward a specific person who is no longer welcome.
There’s also been a lot about “hot mics.” A “hot mic” is a microphone that’s live, or broadcasting sound. As a former motivational speaker and talk show host, I learned very quickly that one should always assume that every microphone is hot.
“Hunker down” is a phrase I particularly like. It’s very visual, isn’t it? It means to settle in or to dig in for a while.
“Shelter-in-place” is close kin to “hunker down.” It means to take refuge, usually because of dangerous conditions outside.
“Victory lap” refers to a celebratory circuit around a track. It’s also come to describe any post-contest congratulatory activity.
On average, the Oxford Dictionary records 1,000 neologisms (new words or terms) a year. I think 2016 and the upcoming election will yield a bumper crop! What new words/terms are you puzzling over?
2 comments:
Fun post, Joanna. I love hearing about the evolution of words. Our language keeps changing!
I believe "shelter in place" is new or nearly new. But "hunker down" is old - I remember it from my childhood. And I myself am old.
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