Prepare to refresh your vocabulary.
‘The ick’, ‘boop’ and ‘chef’s kiss’ are among 3,200 terms that have been added to the Cambridge Dictionary this year.
One notable addition, ‘the ick’, describes a sudden aversion to someone or something, often triggered by a specific behaviour or trait.
The term was popularised by the reality show Love Island, and the dictionary gives examples for the term, including ‘I used to like Kevin, but seeing him in that suit gave me the ick’ and ‘If you suddenly feel repulsed by someone you’re dating, that’s the ick talking’.
The phrase ‘chef’s kiss’ also made the cut to reflect evolving language trends.
The Cambridge Dictionary has added 3,200 new terms to its pages including ‘the ick’ and ‘boop’
‘The ick’ describes a sudden aversion to someone or something, usually brought on by a specific behaviour or trait (Stock Image)
It describes something as perfect or excellent and refers to the gesture of kissing one’s fingers and then pulling the hand away, a sign of approval.
Another new entry is ‘IYKYK,’ an abbreviation for ‘if you know you know’, used to imply a shared understanding or inside joke that might be unclear to outsiders.
The dictionary has also added ‘boop’, meaning a gentle touch on the nose or head.
It is often as a sign of affection or humour, and ‘face journey’, which captures the sequence of emotions displayed on someone’s face.
New idioms include’ go over to the dark side’ and ‘porch piracy’.
The latter refers to the theft of packages left outside homes.
Gaming terminology has also been incorporated, such as ‘speedrun’ (completing a game or level quickly, often exploiting glitches) and ‘side quest’ (an ancillary activity within a game).
These phrases have started influencing everyday language, with ‘speedrun’ and ‘side quest’ now denoting rapid completion of tasks and secondary activities, respectively.
Gaming terminology such as ‘speedrun’ and ‘side quest’ have also been included in the dictionary (Stock Image)
Wendalyn Nichols, Cambridge Dictionary’s publishing manager, said: ‘Language is dynamic, changing right along with technology and culture.
‘Some new terms are added very quickly and others can take some time.
‘We try to identify words and uses that have proven staying power, rather than adding ones that might be short-lived.’
