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Are You Hip to the Latest Slang?

Merriam Webster DictionaryMerriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary & the Oxford English Dictionary are regarded as the authorities on “official” new words and phrases.

Of course, by the time a word makes it to those hallowed pages, it’s been around the pop culture block. But just in case you missed or forgotten a few, here’s a quick refresher course on the 2011 entries. This may be more important for Gen X and Y. Midlife baby boomers aren’t expected to be hip to the jive, but they are.

A Sampling

Americana: genre of music with roots in early folk and country. Think Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt. Grammys include it as a separate category.

boomerang child: young adult who returns to live with his family, usually for financial reasons.

bromamce: close nonsexual friendship between men.

crowdsourcing: getting needed services or ideas by soliciting large numbers online.

cyberbully: one who harasses over the internet.

cougar: older woman who fancies younger men.

dualthlon: three part long distance race - running, bicycling, and running again.

m-commerce: business transactions conducted by using a mobile device. Update of e-commerce, business transaction over the internet in general.

fist bump: gesture where two people bump their fists together, in greeting or celebration. Attributed to President Obama. Watch the video.

helicopter parent: a parent who is overly involved in her children’s lives.

mancavemancave: a room where men can retreat, hang out, and undecorate in their own way.

robocall: automated mass callings to deliver the same message.

sexting: to send erotic messages via the internet.

tweet: if you don’t know what this is, stop reading immediately and go back under your rock.

walk-off: in baseball, a home team win in its last at bat.

Terry Hamburg writes the Baby Boomer Daily about the exciting and revolutionary baby boomer years.

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