"Social Media Slang and Internet Culture Drive Thousands of New Additions to the Cambridge Dictionary"
The English language is constantly changing, and thanks to the internet and social media, it's evolving faster than ever. This year, the Cambridge Dictionary has added over 6,000 new words and phrases, many of which come directly from online culture, viral trends, and digital life. These updates reflect the way people actually speak and interact in today's world, especially younger generations who spend much of their time online.
One of the standout additions is the word “skibidi”. It originated from a wildly popular YouTube series called Skibidi Toilet, which features strange, animated characters with human heads popping out of toilets, often dancing or singing to techno music. The word itself doesn’t have one fixed meaning—it can mean something is “cool” or “bad,” or it can just be used for fun, without any real definition. For example, someone might jokingly say, “What the skibidi are you doing?” The term went even more mainstream when reality TV star Kim Kardashian shared a video wearing a necklace engraved with the phrase "skibidi toilet", showing that even celebrities are in on the joke.
Another new word that’s making headlines is “tradwife”, short for “traditional wife.” This term describes a woman who chooses to embrace a more old-fashioned role within the household—often focusing on cooking, cleaning, and raising children. But what makes it unique to modern times is that many tradwives actively share this lifestyle on social media, turning it into a kind of internet identity or subculture. For some, it's about embracing femininity and traditional values; for others, it's been criticized for promoting outdated gender roles. Regardless of the viewpoint, the word has become widely used enough to earn a spot in the dictionary.
Alongside these terms, the Cambridge Dictionary is recognizing how internet slang is shaping the way we talk about thoughts and behaviors. One such term is “delulu,” a playful twist on the word delusional. It’s used when someone chooses to believe in something clearly unrealistic or untrue—like insisting your celebrity crush is secretly in love with you, or believing you're destined to become a billionaire overnight. While it’s often used humorously or to poke fun at someone, it also reflects how people casually talk about mental states in an exaggerated, tongue-in-cheek way.
The post-pandemic world of remote work has also introduced new vocabulary. One example is the term “mouse jiggler,” which refers to a physical device or software that makes your computer’s mouse move slightly to prevent your screen from going idle. It’s typically used by remote workers to make it seem like they’re active and online—even if they’ve stepped away. The rise of mouse jigglers shows how people are adapting to the expectations of remote work in creative (and sometimes sneaky) ways.
Some new words are born out of blending old ones together. A good example is “broligarchy”, a mash-up of “bro” and “oligarchy.” It describes a small, powerful group of wealthy men—often involved in tech—who have significant influence over politics and society. The term has been used to describe high-profile figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, especially when they appeared together at major events such as former President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The word points to growing concerns about the power and influence held by tech billionaires in modern society.
According to Colin McIntosh, the lexical programme manager at Cambridge University Press, these new entries are a direct reflection of how internet culture is reshaping the English language. He noted that it's both fascinating and important to document how fast language is changing, especially when so much of it is being driven by memes, social trends, and online communities.
From slang that started as jokes on TikTok, to tools people secretly use at work, the latest dictionary updates show just how much digital life is influencing the words we use every day. Whether you're a fan of internet culture or just trying to keep up, these new terms capture a snapshot of how language grows and adapts in a fast-paced, connected world.
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