Pi Blog

If this is not exactly your idea of how a headline in the Queen’s language should begin, we have news for you. The Queen’s English is changing faster than you can say “Holy Cow”!

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), which has been keeping tabs on the evolution of the English language since the 1800s, reflects the rapidly changing trends being ushered in by the Internet generation.

Read on to know about some recent additions to the language we love:

Muggle – “Muggles” are normal people without any magical powers, says bestselling author J.K. Rowling in her Harry Potter books. OED finds it magical enough, and includes it in their latest edition!

Grrrl – Coined to represent the new age woman who is strong, independent, and aggressive especially in her attitude towards men and sexuality.

Threequel – A third part to any movie, book or event. A successor to a sequel.

Cyberslacking (the bosses love this term!) – To spend one’s employer’s Internet and email facilities for personal activities during working hours.

Lookism – Discrimination on the basis of looks or appearance

Ego-surfing – Hunting for instances of one’s own name on the internet or links to one’s own website.

Blamestorming – The process to collectively find someone to blame for a mistake. Usually happens at an office meeting, to address a goof up for which no one is willing to take up responsibility.

Screenager – A person in her teens or tweens who is glued to the computer screen.

Head reeling already? Don’t you find “Holy Cow” quite quaint now?