Archives

1. 

   cougar puberty

   Cougar puberty is the internet's rebrand for "perimenopause," a phase when a woman's body approaches menopause and experiences a collection of hormonal and psychological side effects. These changes might impact menstruation, sleep patterns, mood, memory,…
2. 

   Calvinball jurisprudence

   Calvinball jurisprudence is a term used to describe judicial decision-making in which the rules appear inconsistent, improvised, or subject to change depending on the case. The phrase suggests that courts are playing by shifting standards…
3. 

   Gen Z stare

   If you've ever tried small talk with your local twentysomething barista — "Crazy weather today, huh?" — and been met with a blank, expressionless look in return, you've experienced the Gen Z stare. The Gen…
4. 

   gurting

   Gurting is a Gen Alpha slang term you'll find in internet memes. The word is said to mean "doing something that's very smart but very dangerous," but it also has more oblique usages.  Variations include…
5. 

   quietcation

   A quietcation, also sometimes called "silent travel," is just what it sounds like: a vacation that promotes noiseless tranquility. In today's digitally connected world, people are turning to quietcations to unplug and recharge. For city…
6. 

   freak off

   Content warning: The following article discusses sexual content, including sexual abuse. Freak off is a term used in the federal sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs to describe alleged multi-day, drug-fueled group sex parties…
7. 

   trendjacking

   Trendjacking — sometimes written as trend-jacking or trend jacking — is when brands, companies, or influencers insert themselves into viral or trending topics in an attempt to gain visibility, engagement, news coverage, and cultural relevance.…
8. 

   boomerasking

   Boomerasking is when someone asks you a question — "How was your vacation?" — but they don't really care about your response because they just want to answer it themselves. It's a conversational boomerang (yes,…
9. 

   Maycember

   Maycember is the manic time of year when parents find themselves drowning in end-of-school activities, sporting events, concerts, awards, teacher appreciation days, graduation rituals, bake sales, summer camp paperwork, and Memorial Day plans. Really, it's…
10. 

    cozy mystery

    In the world of books, cozy doesn't just mean "soft socks and tea" — though those are optional and appropriate accessories for enjoying a good read. A cozy mystery, sometimes called cozy crime or even…
11. 

    kickin’ it

    If someone is kickin' it, they essentially mean they're hanging out with no planned activities. Kickin' it as slang became popular in the 1990s. This is not to be confused with another usage of kicking,…
12. 

    buggin’

    Popularized by 1990s rap music, buggin' is used to describe a person who's acting irrationally, not thinking clearly, or just plain wrong about something. It can also be used to describe someone experiencing drug-induced paranoia.…