The year 2012 has given us much to remember by, and as with any year, it has also given us some new words in our daily language. These words may not yet necessarily be in any recently published dictionary, but they can be heard spoken in the streets all over the country. Here are some new words you definitely heard in 2012 and you will still probably hear in 2013 and onwards. They’re the shamazing words of 2012.
Amazeballs
This word popularized by social blogger Perez Hilton back in 2009 has been immortalized in the Collins Online Dictionary as of September 2012. Even Gwyneth Paltrow’s character said it in an episode of Glee. It is defined as “an expression of enthusiastic approval”. If you think something is beyond amazing, those on Twitter will describe it as amazeballs.
Shamazing
Just like amazeballs, when something is beyond amazing, then it’s shamazing! Popstar Nicole Scherzinger is credited with this word, when she described the performance of X Factor contestant Jahmene Douglas. It’s a combination of “shazam” and “amazing” and is now being conjugated as “shamazeballs.”
This word isn’t just for viewers of talent shows. British Prime Minister David Cameron uttered the word when he turned on the Christmas lights on Downing Street last holiday season.
Gangnam Style
Who hasn’t heard the song of 2012, Korean Popstar Psy’s “Gangnam Style”? Gangnam is an affluent district found in the capital city of Seoul in South Korea.
Nomophobia
Afraid of leaving your phone behind or losing it? Are you always worried that you are outside of your phone coverage or signal area? You may be suffering from nomophobia. It evolved from shortening “no more phone phobia”.
The UK Post Office is credited with coining this word after conducting a study on the various anxiety levels of British mobile phone users in relation to the loss of their phone or lack of signal area.
Mash-up
Glee can probably be credited with popularizing this one, since producers often combine two songs into one rich harmony resulting in many amazing vocal performances by the cast. A mash-up is defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary as “something created by combining elements from two or more sources”.
Cloud computing
Don’t have a hard drive? Save your work online through cloud computing. This word came out in 2006 but is more used today, thanks to iCloud. Data can now be stored in different servers and is accessible online.
Man cave
This is a room designated for the man of the house. It is usually the basement or his study, where he can keep all his toys and gadgets and indulge in his hobbies and other interests. The rest of the home can be decorated in shabby-chic style, but the man-cave is where he can let loose and be a total guy.
Yolo
This is the new generation’s way of saying “You only live one”. It first made its way into public consciousness on Twitter, popularized by what is now being called the Justin Beiber generation. It’s “Seize the day” for the older generation, yolo for the young ones.