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.
It seems that we have reached such a degree of familiarity with the coronavirus that we can shorten it to just corona, as to catch corona. It has been further shortened to rona or the rona.
ZG: 9
It seems that the subtleties of coronavirus any of various viruses of this type, SARS-CoV-2. for the specific coronavirus that we are dealing with now, and COVID-19 for the disease caused by SARS-COV-2, is beyond us. Corona will do.
Read MoreThe bin outing is dress-ups combined with putting out the garbage bins so that the adults in the house can turn a mundane chore into an opportunity to make a splash.
ZG: 7
The bin outing is simple but humorous and can be broadcast online. It seems to be Australia’s contribution to the world of conrona entertainment and community encouragement.
Read MoreThis was originally described by Josh Frydenberg as the cryogenic freezing of the economy but was changed, as discussions went on, to economic hibernation. Perhaps cryogenic freezing sounded a bit scary and was harder to imagine in terms of the economy.
ZG: 9
How economic hibernation plays out in Australia is going to be the subject for discussion for some time to come. Obviously we have done the employer/employee relationship up to a point, but the landlord/tenant one is still difficult.
Read MoreLinked to the coronacation is the corona escape. This is when the whole family packs up and heads off to some isolated retreat in the country for an indefinite period to escape the dangers of COVID-19 in the urban environment.
ZG: 7
The time for this is well and truly over but briefly it seemed like a tempting daydream.
Read MoreThis 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 MoreThe increase in numbers of patients has brought to light this term which was part of hospital jargon. The surge capacity of a hospital is a measure of its ability to handle a sudden increase in patients.
ZG: 6
It really is a bit of hospital jargon brought to light by unusual circumstances. Let us hope we don’t have one.
Read MoreCertain gatherings have been found to spread COVID-19 in a fashion that was spectacular and these have come to be called super spreader events.
ZG: 9
The most significant of these are the ones that have come to be identified in retrospect. Of course the new rules are designed to make these a thing of the past.
Read MoreUrban Dictionary published COVIDIOT with the meanings (a) Someone who ignores the warnings regarding public health or safety. (b) A person who hoards goods, denying them from their neighbours.
ZG: 10
There has been some astonishment at the panic behaviour and the reckless behaviour exhibited by some members in our community which has prompted increased use of this word.
Read MoreThis is the harvesting of water from floodplains after heavy rain. It can be done by channelling water into storage sites for later use.
ZG: 5
As we become increasingly aware that there is not enough water in our rivers to sustain all the use that people want to make of it, the debate becomes more heated about who gets what share of it.
Read MoreHypnobirthing is a technique that applies the practices of hypnosis to the process of giving birth so that the mother can take control of her pain using relaxation techniques, deep breathing and meditation, positive visualisation and affirmation.
ZG: 6
For understandable reasons there is a fairly constant flood of advice to new mothers on how to manage childbirth.
Read MoreThe clachan finds a place in the Australian English lexicon because we have the remnants of the only one found outside Ireland. A clachan is a traditional Scottish or Irish village.
ZG: 4
Of historical interest, particularly to those who are interested in the Irish influence in Australia.
Read MoreFor those of us who find children too exhausting, and fur babies almost as bad, there is a solution. The house plant.
ZG: 4
Methinks the house parents protest too much. This one seems a trifle forced.
Read MoreThis is a formalised version of streetball, itself a form of basketball designed for an urban setting.
ZG: 4
The Olympics would have perhaps given this sport a higher profile but that won’t be until next year now.
Read MoreThe simplest definition I have found for this is ‘to stay 1.5 metres away from other people at all times’. This is from NSW Health.
ZG: 10
The golden rule of the pandemic which mostly people adhere to unless they are Covidiots.
Read MoreThe World Health Organisation has coined this word (info the shortened form of information + (pan)demic) to draw attention to the way in which hysterical rumours about COVID-19 are flooding the internet.
ZG: 8
A slightly artificial coinage deliberately created to draw attention to an important facet of the pandemic situation, so one which the WHO hopes everyone will learn.
Read MoreThis is a name for the Southern Cross as used in the Eureka flag, which in the last decade has been associated with right-wing jingoism and racism.
ZG: 6
The Aussie Swazi has attracted more attention as we become increasingly aware of the threat posed to society by right-wing extremism.
Read MoreIt seems that milk baths are particularly recommended for skin conditions, sunburn, and reactions to poison ivy, but even just for generally dry skin.
ZG: 4
New beauty treatments come and go almost as quickly as new diets. It remains to be seen if bathing in milk becomes something we all want to do.
Read MoreBackstabbing and frontstabbing appear to have a literal meaning in computer games, where you can stab the enemy from behind or from in front.
ZG: 4
It is a term that is secure in the jargon of computer games but is just beginning to venture into mainstream use. There is a use for it and it is supported by the existence of backstabbing.
Read MoreThe composting burial is a procedure that begins by placing the body of the person that has died in a casket along with wood chips, soil, straw and alfalfa. The heat created as the body decomposes speeds up the process and eliminates germs.
ZG: 4
Not for everyone yet, I think, but as our concern for the environment grows, who knows what might become the new appropriate way of dealing with the funeral process.
Read MoreApparently there is nothing like the anger experienced by a computer gamer who has just been outwitted by the game and killed. In such circumstances gamers simply abandon the game in a fury.
ZG: 5
A term that is high-frequency among gamers but limited in use in other contexts. That said, why would you say that you quit when you could say that you rage-quit. Much more powerful.
Read More
