C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 Y E A R S O F B U Z Z W O R D S
BuzzWords O U R FAV O U R I T E
2003–2013
learn English
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BuzzWords O U R FAV O U R I T E
2003–2013
Macmillan Education Between Towns Road, Oxford, OX4 3PP A division of Macmillan Publishers Limited Companies and representatives throughout the world ISBN 978-0-23-046163-5 Text Š Macmillan Publishers Limited 2013 First published by Macmillan Publishers Limited 2013 All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers. The citations published in this book have been taken from print and electronic media. The publishers do not take responsibility for the accuracy of the information included. Designed by Mike Brain Graphic Design Limited, United Kingdom
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Introduction Back in 2003, we set ourselves the task of discussing a new word or expression every week. At the time, it seemed like a challenging prospect – were there really enough new words out there? We need never have worried. As we embarked upon this project, the Internet was rapidly making the transition from exciting innovation to everyday tool, accessible to all. And along with it came a new and exciting forum for observing, discussing, and sharing language. So we’ve listened, watched and read, and been able to keep our finger on the pulse of language change in a way which would have been unthinkable 20 years ago. In doing so we’ve demonstrated that, however weird and wonderful these coinages may seem, they employ principles of word formation that have existed in English for centuries. Among these, blending produces some particularly novel creations (greenwash), though simple use of compounding often leads to coinages which seem most likely to stay the course (citizen journalism). In this collection we’ve selected 50 words, most of which we believe have made the leap from lexical curiosity to real, bona fide item of English in use. Technology is of course a key topic area – where would we be today without WiFi or the opportunity to google? Social media, too, have had a dramatic impact on the linguistic landscape, with expressions like OMG even crossing the boundary into speech. But there
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Our Favourite BuzzWords
are many other areas of life which regularly throw up new vocabulary, from the toxic debt of finance or the staycations of cash-strapped families, through to the omnishambles of an ineffectual government or the carbon-neutral aspirations of environmentalists. For as long as they stay relevant to society, such words will occupy an enduring place in the lexicon, just as those we no longer have use for will make way for the next wave of lexical innovation in the ten years ahead. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy this snapshot of linguistic creativity – and the social, economic, and political trends it mirrors – between 2003 and 2013. Kerry Maxwell Author of the Macmillan Dictionary BuzzWord column
About the author Kerry Maxwell has an MA in Linguistics from the University of Manchester. She has worked in academic research and as a lexicographer in the publishing industry. She lives in York, UK, where she works as a freelance author and editor. Kerry is author of Brave New Words: A Language Lover’s Guide to the 21st Century (2007) and has been writing the Macmillan Dictionary BuzzWord column since 2003.
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senior moment NOUN [COUNTABLE]
a brief period when someone, especially an elderly person, is unable to remember something
03 “Depression is rage turned inwards.” I read/heard/saw this piece of pop psychoanalysis somewhere, but thanks to a senior moment I cannot immediately recall where … ABS CBN News, Philippines
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May 2003
Our Favourite BuzzWords
google also Google verb [transitive]
to search for something on the Internet, especially using the Google™ search engine
03 Last week, with the new year on the horizon, I Googled the top ten resolutions to help me prepare my answer for the question of the day. San Diego Reader
July 2003
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sex up phrasal verb [transitive]
to make changes to something, especially a piece of writing, in order to make it seem more significant, exciting or interesting than it originally was
03
In the greatest scandal to threaten the free world yet, it appears that the BBC may have sexed up the reporting of its allegations that the Government “sexed up” its Iraq report last September. But this interpretation may itself be a sexing up of the situation. The Times
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November 2003
Our Favourite BuzzWords
fat tax  noun [countable/uncountable]
a tax on foods which are considered to be unhealthy, especially fatty or sweet foods which can lead to obesity or other health problems
04 An article published in the American Journal of Public Health last year found that 17 U.S. states already have special taxes on soft drinks, candy and snack foods and estimated that these fat taxes already generate more than $1-billion (U.S.) annually. www.debatabase.org
July 2004
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phishing noun [uncountable]
the criminal activity of persuading people to give personal information such as passwords and credit card details by directing them to a fake website which has been made to look exactly the same as the website of a legitimate bank or other organization
04
“We arrested a 21-year-old man on suspicion of phishing, a scam where someone sends out emails purporting to come from a bank, on this occasion Smile,” said an NHTCU spokeswoman … Press Association
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August 2004
Our Favourite BuzzWords
WiFi
also Wi-Fi, Wifi, Wi-fi, wifi noun [uncountable]
Wireless Fidelity: a networking system which enables a wireless connection between an electronic device and the Internet
04
Very few people know about it now, but there’s a “hot spot” in downtown Albany that gives laptop users free high-speed Internet access. … Wireless Internet, known as WiFi – for wireless fidelity – is growing rapidly across the country. A big WiFi launch party is scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Omni Plaza Beaver Street courtyard where people can roam the Internet from a picnic table. The Business Review
October 2004
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security mom noun [countable]
in the USA, a woman with children who is particularly concerned about terrorism and security issues
04
A lot of the Bush campaign rhetoric, from “W is for women” down to safety-related television ads, has been geared to winning the security moms over … The Guardian
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October 2004
Our Favourite BuzzWords
greenwash
also green-wash verb [transitive]
to try to convince people that you are doing something which is good for the environment by being involved in small, environmentallyfriendly initiatives, especially as a way of hiding your involvement in activities which are damaging to the environment
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He found that 84 per cent believe it is now more important to teach about environmental issues than it was in the past … Standish also looked at national curriculum requirements – and textbooks – and concluded that pupils were being “greenwashed” by simplistic and skewed approaches to complex issues. The Independent
January 2005
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supersize verb [transitive/intransitive]
to increase significantly in size, or to make something increase significantly in size
05 Since the mid-90s, despite a dramatic rise in the costs of energy, millions of Americans have purchased bigger cars and bigger houses, confounding the experts. They can’t explain, and economic theory can’t explain, why people would want to spend a lot more money supersizing those things. The Times, Northwest Indiana
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April 2005
Our Favourite BuzzWords
wiki
also Wiki noun [countable]
a website where users can collectively add or modify text
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… there are now wikis – websites that anyone can edit – on everything from Tolkien to travel … The Guardian
October 2005
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citizen journalism noun [uncountable]
the gathering and reporting of news by ordinary people rather than professional reporters
06 … his dispatches have already given all of us a close-up view of the devastation and the ongoing efforts of Americans to help Americans who have been suffering from the aftermath of the hurricane … This is a good example of the citizen journalism concept that we Internet journalists are toying with these days. MaineToday.com
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January 2006
Our Favourite BuzzWords
geolocation  noun [uncountable]
the technological process of determining the real geographical location of an Internet user
06 Prominent among those tools is geolocation, the web geography technology that determines the true geographic location of the online customer at the moment he clicks into the website – the country, state or even city. BankersOnline.com
April 2006
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WAG
also Wag noun [countable] informal
the wife or girlfriend of a famous professional footballer
06 England’s superstar striker tied the knot at the Wag wedding of the year in a 20-minute civil ceremony in Santa Margherita Ligure on the Italian Riviera. The Mirror
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June 2006
Our Favourite BuzzWords
carbon neutral
also carbon-neutral, carbonneutral  adjective
adopting measures to prevent polluting the atmosphere with carbon emissions
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HSBC is the first big bank to commit to going carbon neutral as it seeks to reduce its environmental impact. Starting in 2005, it will plant trees, reduce energy use, buy green electricity and trade carbon credits to cut carbon dioxide flows. BBC News
February 2007
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food mile  noun [countable] [usually plural]
the distance that a food item travels from the place where it is produced to the place where it is eaten
07 We bought a basket of 20 fresh foods from the major retailers on one day last month and tracked the food miles it had clocked up. We found apples from America; pears from Argentina; fish from the Indian ocean; lettuce from Spain; tomatoes from Saudi Arabia; ‌ Our total basket had travelled 100,943 miles. The Guardian
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April 2007
Our Favourite BuzzWords
meh interjection
used for showing that you do not care what happens or that you are not particularly interested in something
08 Will this pseudo-couple last? Meh. Don’t really know, don’t really care. It will probably last as long as they can milk the PR then fade out until the next movie comes along … Bosh
January 2008
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subprime
also sub-prime  adjective
used to describe lending at a higher rate of interest because it involves borrowers with an increased credit risk
08 But industry experts say these steps won’t necessarily translate into lower mortgage costs for some 2 million Americans with risky subprime home loans with rates that are scheduled to adjust sharply higher over the next year. Reuters
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March 2008
Our Favourite BuzzWords
also Facebook verb [transitive]
1 to communicate with someone by using the Facebook™ website 2 to search for information about someone by using the Facebook™ website
08
Noticing her healthy hair in a picture the other day, I Facebooked her a compliment. The Pitt News, Pittsburgh University
My curiosity about Lloyd became overwhelming, and within five minutes I had facebooked him and found out where he lived on campus. Daily Free Press, Boston University
March 2008
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staycation
also stay-cation  noun [countable]
a holiday in which you stay at home and visit places near to where you live
08
Staycations have become more and more common. Not everyone has the time or money to invest in a long faraway trip. Staying close to home is good for the economy, and probably a lot safer. Tribune Express, Canada
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August 2008
Our Favourite BuzzWords
digital native noun [countable]
a person who has grown up in a world with digital technology such as the Internet and mobile phones OPPOSITE
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digital immigrant noun [countable]
This week I have decided to Twitter … Based on wanting to be indigenous (i.e. a digital native rather than a digital immigrant) this seemed a good place to start. Computer Weekly
August 2008
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toxic adjective business
used to describe a loan or other financial agreement which causes very serious business problems for a bank or financial organization
08 British taxpayers will be liable for more than £150 billion of potentially toxic mortgage debt following the nationalisation of Bradford & Bingley, one of the country’s biggest mortgage lenders. The Telegraph
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October 2008
Our Favourite BuzzWords
ghost bike
also ghost cycle  noun [countable]
a bicycle which is painted white and left in a particular place in memory of a cyclist who has been killed
08
A ghost bike graces the side of the road at Maungatapere, near where cyclist and road safety campaigner Fred Ogle was fatally hit last month ‌ A ghost bike or ghost cycle is a bike set up in place where a cyclist has been hurt or killed, as a memorial to the rider and as a reminder to passing motorists to share the road with cyclists. Northern Advocate, New Zealand
October 2008
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quantitative easing noun [uncountable]
when a central bank creates a supply of new money to put into a banking system which is in serious difficulty
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Quantitative easing: What is it? And will it work? … With interest rates now at 0.5%, the Bank of England can’t make money much cheaper. All they can do now is make it more plentiful. … Printing money, quantitative easing or extraordinary measures – call it what you want but one thing is clear. The UK economy and the Bank of England have entered uncharted waters. Financial Director
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March 2009
Our Favourite BuzzWords
defriend
also de-friend verb [transitive]
to remove someone from your list of friends on a social networking website
09 As for Jon, the next request he sends will not only get an “ignore,” but a note explaining exactly why he’s been defriended. Albany Times Union
May 2009
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crowdsourcing also crowd sourcing noun [uncountable]
trying to find a way of completing a task, a solution to a problem, etc by asking a wide range of people or organizations if they can help, typically by using the Internet
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It seems that crowdsourcing is fast becoming the “next big thing.” Whether you call it “social answers,” “help engines” or something else, there’s a growing trend of asking those in your network to help you out with advice. Marketing Pilgrim
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June 2009
Our Favourite BuzzWords
cloud computing  noun [uncountable]
a type of computing in which computing resources are shared via the Internet, rather than the use of local servers or personal computing devices
09
While cloud computing services offer a way to lower costs and offload basic server and storage maintenance to companies that purport to have expertise, it also presents dramatic security and legal challenges that should be considered before signing up. Computerworld
November 2009
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tweetup
also tweet-up noun [countable]
a meeting of two or more people who know each other through the Twitter short messaging service
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To celebrate this little milestone, we’re organizing a D.C. tweetup next week on Thursday, Dec. 10th, 2009. Come out and hang with us and your fellow D.C. tweeps … Washington City Paper
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January 2010
Our Favourite BuzzWords
hacktivist noun [countable]
a person who changes or manipulates information on the Internet in order to convey a political message
10 The ISC said “Islamist terrorists” had learned how to deface websites and launch denial of service attacks, a routine method hacktivists, hackers and criminals use to prevent people’s websites from working for short periods. THINQ.co.uk
May 2010
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Generation Y also Gen Y noun [uncountable]
the generation of people born from the late seventies to the mid-nineties
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Gen Y’s green demands for the workplace … The highly educated, mobile and tech-savvy age group that falls within the demographic band known as Generation Y wants a workplace that’s like them: urban, flexible, collaborative, environmentally sensitive and unconventional. BusinessGreen
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July 2010
Our Favourite BuzzWords
unfollow
also defollow verb [transitive]
to stop subscribing to another person’s messages on the Twitter short messaging service
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In the past I have unfollowed many people, recently jettisoning a number of blowhard wafflers, a young rapper constantly plugging his CD, and a maddeningly ponderous website editor. The Guardian
… Well, it is a sneaky social media tactic meant to raise the count of followers of the user who defollowed you, while slyly reducing your following. EzineArticles
August 2010
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meme
also Internet meme noun [countable]
a concept or idea that spreads very quickly via the Internet
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Memes are filling the top of Twitter’s most talked about topics on the morning of July 21. The meme “#weallgotthatonefriend” takes the top position in Twitter’s trending topics. We all got that one friend … “who is only a ‘friend’ when they need something,” “that always wants advice but never takes it” or “that’s never on time for anything,” tweet microbloggers. The Independent, UK
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September 2010
Our Favourite BuzzWords
app noun [countable]
an application program designed for a particular purpose on a computer or mobile phone operating system
11 Penguin has released one of the first book apps designed for babies as young as three months old, which will help enhance children’s hearing, visual and motor skills. The Telegraph
January 2011
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OMG interjection informal
an abbreviation of Oh My God: used to show surprise or excitement about something, especially in text messages, e-mails and social networking websites
11 OMG! Our columnist Amy Childs reveals the truth about her nights out with Peter Andre … New Magazine
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April 2011
Our Favourite BuzzWords
green verb [transitive]
to make something more environmentallyfriendly
11 The program has greened the zoo’s primate exhibit and courtyard by installing rain barrels and cisterns to harvest water runoff from rooftops … Syracuse New Times
June 2011
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sick adjective informal
impressive, especially because of being fashionable or attractive
11 He has taken an ‘08 GT500 and built it into a sick machine that could probably break the land speed record for a milk run … Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords Magazine
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June 2011
Our Favourite BuzzWords
facepalm also face-palm, face palm noun [countable]
the action of placing your hand flat across your face in order to show that you are frustrated or embarrassed about something
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… Republican candidates Mike Cox, Tom George, Mike Bouchard and Peter Hoekstra inspired more than a few face palms from those of us who recognized the seriousness of the state’s problems – but saw little seriousness from this unimpressive crew. Michigan View.com
July 2011
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freemium adjective
used to describe a business model in which the basic product is free, but customers pay for extra features
11 Glu has been quicker to transition its business model from pay-to-play to a so-called ‘freemium’ business model – where games are downloaded free, but can be monetized via advertising or charging gamers for additional features. Reuters
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September 2011
Our Favourite BuzzWords
occupy  verb [transitive]
to move into a public place and stay there for a period of time in order to show that you strongly disagree with a policy, law, etc
11 Nearly two weeks ago, an estimated 3,000 people assembled at Battery Park with the intention of occupying Wall Street. They were an eclectic group ‌ But nearly everyone was angry at what they saw as a culture of out-of-control greed. Time
October 2011
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wave and pay  noun [uncountable]
a system of paying for goods or services by moving a credit card or mobile phone in front of a special machine which automatically reads the information
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Mass adoption of wave and pay years away ‌ A Paypal executive has ruled out the mass adoption of waving and paying for products using mobile phones like credit cards for at least three years. The Telegraph
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November 2011
Our Favourite BuzzWords
biomimicry  noun [uncountable]
the study of systems and substances used in nature in order to find solutions to other human and technical problems
12 From robot snakes to breathable mattresses designed after honeycombs, more innovative designs are using the art and science of biomimicry. The field of biomimicry has already given consumers hundreds of products and devices that are based on nature. International Business Times
January 2012
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4-D  adjective
a 4-D experience combines a 3-D film (=a film that looks as if it has length, depth and width) with other physical effects on the audience such as smells, water spray etc
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‌ apparently Moviefone figured out that Spy Kids 4, which was done in Aroma-Scope (4D), or what I call smello-vision with scratch and sniff cards, has lasted longer than the Kardashian marriage. TG Daily
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February 2012
Our Favourite BuzzWords
crowdfunding  noun [uncountable]
the activity of getting a large group of people to finance a particular project, especially by using a website where people can make contributions
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The duo, who struggled to raise finance for the business the traditional way, have decided to launch a crowdfunding project on Bloom VC to reach out to a wider audience to raise the ÂŁ7k they need to take the business to the next level. Scotland Food & Drink
March 2012
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QR code  noun [countable]
a code consisting of a pattern of black and white squares which can be read by a mobile phone, computer, etc, and is used as a label to provide further information about something
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The poster is based around a QR code, a form of barcode that can hold much more data than the traditional version, including links to videos and websites. The Guardian
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April 2012
Our Favourite BuzzWords
omnishambles noun [singular]
something that is very badly organized and is ineffective in every possible way
12 But a “double-dip” recession, fallout from a budget dubbed an omnishambles by critics and the ongoing saga of his relations with Rupert Murdoch have all contributed to a recent slump in Conservative fortunes in national opinion polls. BBC News
May 2012
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medal  verb [intransitive]
to win a medal (=a small, flat piece of metal on a ribbon) by coming first, second or third in a competition
12 Should Canadian diver Alexandre Despatie reach the podium in London, he’ll join a select group of athletes who have medalled in three straight Olympics. Toronto Star
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July 2012
Our Favourite BuzzWords
m-learning also mobile learning noun [uncountable]
learning methods and materials that involve the use of mobile phones or handheld computers
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Just like the advent of computers ushered in the era of e-learning, we are now ready for an era of m-learning, or using the mobile phone as an educational tool. Techtree.com
September 2012
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hat tip  noun [countable]
something that you say, especially when writing on the Internet, to show that you are grateful to someone for giving you information
12 Ally Bank increased the rate of its savings and money market accounts from 0.89% to 0.95% APY. (Hat tip to the readers who mentioned this news in the discussion forum and in the comments.) Deposit Accounts
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November 2012
Our Favourite BuzzWords
3D printing noun [uncountable]
a method of creating a three-dimensional object from a digital file by using a device that adds layers of material one after another
12 The technosphere – which is currently in love with 3D printing … – was abuzz, earlier this week, with the news that a 3D printer company had seized its leased unit from the home of a man planning to print out a pistol. Boston Globe
November 2012
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fiscal cliff  noun [countable]
a combination of planned government spending cuts and tax increases which must take place in the future because a temporary financial law has ended
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The fiscal cliff, as we’ve come to call it, amounts to a $700 billion combination of expiring Bush tax cuts and congressionally mandated spending cuts that could, if fully enacted, tip the economy back into recession. WBUR
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December 2012
Our Favourite BuzzWords
black swan
also Black Swan  noun [countable]
an event which is extremely rare and unexpected but has very significant consequences
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September 11, 2001 is a classic example of a Black Swan. It was only a failure of imagination by most Americans (including myself) to never have contemplated beforehand the possibility of such a dreadful day. Christian Science Monitor
January 2013
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Learn English with Macmillan Dictionary Online Our dictionary is much more than a dictionary! Improve your vocabulary and language skills by using our online resources: Videos and worksheets language videos with worksheets & BuzzWord lesson plans www.macmillandictionary.com/learn/english-language-resources
Language games fun games to learn more about irregular verbs, phrasal verbs and more www.macmillandictionary.com/language-games/
Award-winning blog language tips and lively discussions about the ever-changing English language www.macmillandictionaryblog.com
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Our Favourite BuzzWords
It’s your English! Share the love of English by using our widgets on your website and adding your English language experience to ours: Gadgets dictionary and BuzzWord gadgets & double-click plugin www.macmillandictionary.com/tools/webmastertools
Open Dictionary Add words to our Open Dictionary that haven’t yet made it into the dictionary. www.macmillandictionary.com/open-dictionary/
Social media Join us online to learn, live and love the English language – together! @MacDictionary www.facebook.com/Whatsyourenglish www.youtube.com/MacDictionary
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O U R FAV O U R I T E B U Z Z W O R D S 2 0 0 3 – 2 0 1 3
Are you a digital native from Generation Y? Would you use a QR code to download an app on WiFi, so that you can do some m-learning? Would you google your favourite memes or search for a wiki as a citizen journalist? How would you define 2003 to 2013? The Macmillan Dictionary BuzzWord column has captured a decade of language change, and this selection of Our Favourite BuzzWords reflects the social, political, and technological changes that brought so many new words into the language in the first decade of the 21st century.
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