Modern takes on familiar words
Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year for 2018 is "Toxic" declaring it had become a "descriptor for the year's most talked about topics" - everything from Brexit to masculinity. Runners-up included "gaslighting" meaning "the action of manipulating someone by psychological means into accepting a false depiction of reality or doubting their own sanity." The concept, usually used to describe personal relationship dynamics, is now used in a political context - namely, Donald Trump's assertions that the media are spreading "fake news", and the suggestion his administration is the sole arbiter of truth. This has led to Trump's presidency of the United States being compared to an abusive relationship. Also on the shortlist was "big dick energy". The phrase means "an attitude of understated and casual confidence". "Though the term has its roots in the perceived confidence of the well-endowed," according to the dictionary, "BDE is by no means exclusive to those with male genitalia; many women, such as Rihanna, Serena Williams and Cate Blanchett, are among those identified as having this low-key, self-assured poise."
What simple thing did you learn at an embarrassingly late age?
1. "At 33 years old I learnt, just two weeks ago, that the messy pavlova pudding is not called Eat-a-mess, but Eton Mess."
2. "For a long time I heard on the radio about something called jelly deals. For years I imagined it was a special confection made of jelly, but I couldn't figure out what a deal was. It wasn't until I saw it written down that I made the connection. Jellied eels."
3. "Something I learned late in life, at nearly 70, is that pop music stands for popular music. I always thought it was something to do with the poppiness of the beat."
