AFP – A new year means new words to add to our vocabulary! Here we’ve gathered 23 words that we’ll likely be using this year.
Astrotourism: For now taking a trip into space is only accessible to a few privileged people, but it is possible to immerse yourself in the stars while remaining on Earth.
This is the concept behind astrotourism. Specially developed vacations in this booming sector offer star lovers the chance to contemplate infinite space in the Atacama Desert in Chile or the Cevennes National Park in France.
Climavore: Being environmentally mindful goes beyond buying second-hand goods and taking the train instead of a flight: it also involves what we eat.
A climavore diet encourages us to rethink our eating habits to reduce our ecological footprint. Its followers prefer seasonal, local, unprocessed and unpackaged products or packaging that is recyclable, compostable or biodegradable.
Eco-dumping: If you’ve ever dumped a partner because you couldn’t stand to listen to them praise a brand that shamelessly engages in greenwashing, you’re practising eco-dumping.
In other words, breaking up with someone because they don’t share your ecological convictions!
Greenhushing: Did you know that some brands work hard to create environmentally-friendly products or services but prefer to not communicate about their approach?
The reasons for this greenhushing phenomenon, which is the exact opposite of greenwashing, can often be explained by the fear of being accused of opportunism or of not “doing enough”. This fear is particularly prevalent among young companies.
Hangxiety: Headaches, nausea, digestive problems… The aftermath of alcohol-filled nights can present some very specific challenges.
Especially for those who suffer from hangxiety. This word refers to the feeling of depression and psychological stress which can occur after excessive consumption of alcohol. It’s one reason why some people become “abstainers” (see above).
Hesidating: Not sure if you’re ready to commit to a relationship? You may be suffering from hesidating! Derived from a combination of the words “hesitating” and “dating”, this term refers to the uncertainty that can characteriSe our love lives. Rest assured, this state of hesitation is not permanent. It can even help you determine your real expectations of love.
Hybrid manager: Remote work, flex office, flextime… In companies, the trend is towards flexibility. This phenomenon demands adjustments from employers, who must deal with increasingly fragmented teams.
This is where “hybrid management” comes in, or the art of rethinking work methods to create a more flexible professional environment. Is this the work world’s key to keeping up with the times?
Localwashing: Related to “greenwashing”, “localwashing” refers to the deceptive practice of some brands that want to sell products that are supposedly “made locally”. To detect this kind of subterfuge, don’t just look at the flag or the big print on a product; instead, make sure to read all the labels carefully.
Low-key: This term is increasingly used on social media to describe something being done on the down low (ie, in secret), in an understated fashion, chill or kind of (as opposed to wholeheartedly).
For instance, “I’m low-key loving that track.” The New York Times recently titled a story “Happy Low-Key New Year!” about a trend towards making more realistic resolutions.
Mad skills: In the same vein as “hard skills” and “soft skills”, “mad skills” are increasingly being added to job candidates’ resumes. This category focusses on “atypical” skills or competencies that will help an employee or candidate stand out in the professional sphere.
Did you take a sabbatical year to dedicate yourself to permaculture? Don’t hesitate to mention this “mad skill” on your CV!
Neo-Luddism: It may come as a surprise to some of us, but some individuals voluntarily give up their smartphones, social networks and all other connected aspects of our high-tech society. And it’s not just the Amish. Many of these Neo-Luddites have simply chosen to focus on other activities, such as reading or communing with nature.
Quiet (everything): The COVID crisis has profoundly altered our employment relationship, leading to the emergence of new phrases such as “quiet quitting” and “quiet firing”.
While these terms refer to different concepts, the repeated use of the adjective “quiet” reflects the resignation of disillusioned employees. A quiet movement that is not without consequences for the labour market.
ROMO: First appearing a few years ago, the expression “relief of missing out” refers to the relief of not keeping up with the news, considered too anxiety-provoking. A phenomenon that is gaining more and more Internet users and whose acronym is directly inspired by “FOMO”, although it means the exact opposite. “Fear of missing out” indeed evokes anxiety about missing an event, whether on social networks or in real life (IRL).
Shrinkflation: In the minds of many, the year 2022 will be associated with inflation. Consumers have observed many spinoffs in recent months… including “shrinkflation”.
This word refers to a technique practised by some commercial establishments, which “discreetly” reduce the quantities of their products while charging the same price. A word that we hope to be able to quickly erase from our vocabulary!
TikTokracy: More than ever, TikTok sets the pace (and a lot of microtrends) with its feeds of fun, short and informative videos.
The younger generations look to the Chinese social network for entertainment but also to be informed on a multitude of subjects (more or less serious). Welcome to the era of the Tiktokracy.
