Random Listicle: 7 Oxford Press words of the year

by Brian Clarey

1. Vape

Every year, the Oxford Press names a word that has officially wormed its way into the lexicon. This year’s word is “vape,” a verb used to abbreviate the activity of using an electronic cigarette and a noun describing the devices. “You are 30 times more likely to come across the word ‘vape’ than you were two years ago, and usage has more than doubled in the past year,” according to the Oxford Dictionaries website. “Vape” was chosen from a crowded field of contenders.

2. Bae

“Used as a term of endearment for one’s romantic partner,” this noun has risen in prevalence since Pharrell dropped his single “Come Get it Bae” in July.

3. Budtender

Slang for the guy who sells legal weed in dispensaries, the budtender is a product of the decriminalization of marijuana.

4. Contactless

This adjective is used to describe transactions that happen wirelessly, without physical contact.

5. Indyref

Shorthand for the September 2014 referendum on Scottish independence. Like the word it launched, the movement failed.

6. Normcore

“A trend in which ordinary, unfashionable clothing is worn as a deliberate fashion statement.” I believe the Triad is an inadvertent leader in this trend — I see it everywhere I go.

7. Slacktivism

“Actions performed via the internet in support of a political or social cause but regarded as requiring little time or involvement, e.g. signing an online petition or joining a campaign group on a social media website.” Those things you pass around on Facebook are a prime example.