Word Spy

The word lover's guide to new words.

[Word Spy @wordspy]

procrastibaking pp. Putting off an important or urgent task by baking. https://t.co/1M44Yj17d2

[Word Spy @wordspy]

SCOBY n. A gelatinous mass formed by the interaction of bacteria and yeast and used in the production of foods and beverages such as sourdough bread and kombucha. https://t.co/b0iQvlCguk

[Word Spy @wordspy]

nutpicking pp. Claiming that the craziest or most outrageous member of a group is a typical representative of that group. https://t.co/IS0Wu3OuWO

[Word Spy @wordspy]

insomnia identity n. The erroneous belief that one has trouble sleeping, which leads to physical and psychological problems similar to those experienced by true insomniacs. https://t.co/4oWjOZpLKs

[Word Spy @wordspy]

cry-it-outer n. A person who practices or advocates letting babies cry themselves to sleep. https://t.co/zOZtDtFEgQ

[Word Spy @wordspy]

ghost hotel n. A residence that is used mostly or exclusively as short-term rental accommodation, particularly when offered through an online booking service such as Airbnb. https://t.co/EYmATXBtds

[Word Spy @wordspy]

behaviorceutical n. A physical activity that improves mental health, particularly by reducing stress or anxiety. https://t.co/XofOIG8dWN

[Word Spy @wordspy]

dog-directed speech n. A manner of talking to dogs characterized by a high pitch, slow cadence, frequent repetition, and whimsical tone. https://t.co/Rwp28st0uZ

[Word Spy @wordspy]

nerd-sightedness n. The inability to see beyond a technology's interesting technical aspects, particularly to miss its ethical implications; to see the world from the perspective of a nerd. https://t.co/RY9eoi6qtM

[Word Spy @wordspy]

begpacker n. A backpacker who finances their food, lodging, or transportation expenses by asking for handouts. https://t.co/J8ufauliSI

[Word Spy @wordspy]

failson n. An adult son who is under- or unemployed and lives with his parents, particularly one who has no goal other than to spend the day playing video games and watching porn. https://t.co/llM33xSFbY

[Word Spy @wordspy]

kittenfishing pp. Embellishing or exaggerating one's online dating profile. (cf. "catfishing") https://t.co/Q1Y6MpfMzW

[Word Spy @wordspy]

agnogenesis n. The deliberate production of information or ideas that create ignorance or unwarranted doubt. https://t.co/6cAvucDbgW

[Word Spy @wordspy]

@mrrobotpod @MrDaveKeane As a cartoon-watching boy, I saw “The Daffy Doc” more than a few times, and I never understood Daffy Duck’s “Silence is foo!“ sign. “Foo” was a nonsense word used in 1930s comics. Later, in the military, it stood for “fucked up” (“fu”=>”foo”) or as ref to UFOs (see “foo fighter”)

[Word Spy @wordspy]

canicross n. A form of cross-country running in which a human runner is pulled by a dog wearing a special harness. ["canine" + "cross country"] https://t.co/BcMzPu3CEL

[Word Spy @wordspy]

XAI n. A form of machine learning-based artificial intelligence that enables human operators and researchers to understand how the system derives its results. [From the phrase "eXplainable Artificial Intelligence"] https://t.co/j7Njjf9FNm

[Word_Chucker @Word_Chucker]

Example: the Senate Judiciary Committee that held the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. https://t.co/sgWEGBjT1g

[Word Spy @wordspy]

manel n. A panel or similar public discussion group that consists only of men. https://t.co/J1nJhMPoGI [man + panel]

[Word Spy @wordspy]

cord-never n. A person who has never subscribed to a cable television package. (cf. "cord-cutter") https://t.co/DOmcE2mk4o

[Dana Law @Mentalisto]

@wordspy The national nightmare is over. Verbivores rejoice: