The words of 2014
It’s time to say goodbye to 2014. Looking back on the year, I learned a lot of new words were added to the dictionary.
The past 12 months taught us friends don’t let friends photobomb. The technical definition of photobomb is “to intrude into the background of a photograph without the subject’s knowledge.” Remember when jerks would hold up two fingers behind your head to make you look like you had alien antennae? I’m actually surprised photobombing is still a thing since we can digitally crop someone out of a picture. Though I love it when someone crops their ex out of a photo and leaves that inexplicable third arm hanging around their waist or neck.
Have you vaped on an e-cig? Both e-cigs and vaping were added to the dictionary this year. I’m sorry, but everyone inhaling the vapor of e-cigs reminds me of children chewing on candy cigarettes. They seem to be saying, “Look, I’m all grown up and sophisticated smoking cherry-flavored juice inside an emergency flashlight.”
The word “overshare” was added to the dictionary. It means “to be unacceptably forthcoming with information about one’s personal life.” I sort of do that for a living. Can we move on to the next word, please?
I’ve sent out winking smiley faces for years, but now that smiley is a “heart emoji.” Emoji have been around since 1998. You can thank Shigetaka Kurita for creating them, but I’m sure he doesn’t want the credit. In 2014, they got a lot more complex. This year, I’ve seen pumpkins, witches, Christmas trees and various colorful cartoon placeholders for real emotions, thoughts and ideas. They are overly cutesy, and I’ve accidentally included them in business emails. “Thanks for moving Tuesday’s meeting. Smiley face.” I admit I have a problem. Sad face.
While overshare, e-cigs, vape and heart emoji did manage to make it to the dictionary, one word didn’t get through. It was “bae.” It remains, for now, only in the Urban Dictionary.
It is a term of romantic endearment. When capitalized, it is the name of Rumpelstiltskin’s adult son on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time.” It seems to be for people who find the two syllables of “baby” too difficult. “I was going to call you baby, but my mouth got tired and only ‘bae’ came out.”
It’s an ugly word for the most beautiful person in your life, especially if you’re Danish. Trust me, you don’t want to call anyone “bae” in Denmark. It’s another word for excrement there. If you want to use a romantic term for your sweetie, honey or darling, have some respect and go full baby. Here, I’ll use it in a sentence, “Hey, baby. While you’re up, get me some Cheetos!” Isn’t it classier? OK. Maybe there isn’t a classy way to plop your butt in your Lazy-Boy and beg for a neon orange snack food.
Dear 2015, I’m both excited and fearful to see what new words you bring to us. Actually, I’m downright petrified. Scared face!