These are new words or phrases that have caught my eye. My definition of a new word is one which is not in the Macquarie Dictionary online.
Some words seem to have more significance than others in terms of reflecting changes in the Australian culture, so I will give each word a Zeitgeist rating (ZG) within a range of 1-10.
If you disagree with the rating that I give, please argue your case in the comment field provided.
I would love you to contact me if you have made any new word discoveries of your own.
This is an enforced holiday brought about by the circumstances around COVID-19. The word is a blend of coronavirus and vacation, combined in a way that is similar to staycation.
ZG: 7
This is a word we will probably choose to remember, even when the need for it has passed, as one that is indicative of the times.
Read MoreThis is a subset of dark tourism, that is, tourism to places where atrocities have occurred. The disaster tourist seeks places where man-made or natural disasters have occurred.
ZG: 6
There has been only too much opportunity for disaster tourists in Australia in the last six months.
Read MoreAncestry tourism involves travelling to the land of your ancestors and seeing what you can find out to add to information for your family history.
ZG: 7
The popularity of researching family histories aided by a sudden wealth of resources that can be made available to the general public means that ancestry tourism will be increasingly popular.
Read MoreIt has become the practice of Chinese emigrants to send their very young children back to China to be looked after by their extended family while the parents are establishing themselves in their new country. These children are referred to as satellite babies.
ZG: 3
Not high frequency in Australia but we are becoming aware of the practice. More common in North America where the term originated.
Not high frequency in Australia but we are becoming aware of the practice.
Read MoreA card clash occurs when the reading device picks up one contactless credit or debit card as you tap on, and then a different card as you tap off.
ZG: 6
This caused a bit of a stir when the system was new but will probably fade from sight as we become more proficient in tapping on and tapping off.
Read MoreThe backpacker has morphed into the begpacker, the backpacker who begs in the streets.
ZG: 5
The role that tourism plays in countries where both the economy and the culture are impacted by the visitors has always under question. The begpacker seems to be particularly upfront in taking advantage.
Read More
