06 June 2009

Finalists for the one millionth English word

* Chengguan Urban management officers, a cross between mayors, sheriffs and city managers.

* Jai Ho! From the Hindi, “It is accomplished”; achieved English-language popularity through the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

* Mobama Relating to the fashion sense of the US First Lady, as in “that is quite mobama-ish”.

* Noob From the gamer community; a neophyte in playing a particular game; used as a disparaging term.

* Phelpsian The accomplishments of Michael Phelps at the Beijing Olympics.

* Quendy-Trendy British youth-speak for hip or up-to-date.

* Wonderstar As in Susan Boyle, an overnight sensation, exceeding all reasonable expectations.

* Zombie Banks Banks that would be dead if not for government intervention.

This list offered by Simon Winchester, who loves the language and the OED, in a Telegraph article that also explains how the word "autopeotomy" was created by two elderly women lexicographers.

2 comments:

  1. "quendy" is ridiculous. I'm English and young, we don't use that word, I've never even heard of it. In fact the only one I've ever come across anyone using is "noob".

    That said, I do rather like "Zombie Banks".

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