Cambridge Dictionary Adds TikTok Terms
(MENAFN) The Cambridge Dictionary has recently incorporated several popular TikTok-originated expressions into the English lexicon, highlighting the growing influence of online trends on language development.
Colin McIntosh, the lexical program manager at the Cambridge Dictionary, commented on this evolving dynamic, saying, “Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary.”
He also emphasized the selective nature of this process, stating, “It’s not every day you get to see words like ‘skibidi’ and ‘delulu’ make their way into the Cambridge Dictionary. We only add words where we think they’ll have staying power.”
One of the standout additions is “skibidi,” a term that gained traction through the viral animated series Skibidi Toilet, which first emerged on YouTube.
The show features human heads emerging from toilets in surreal scenarios.
The Cambridge Dictionary now describes skibidi as “a word that can have different meanings such as ‘cool’ or ‘bad’, or can be used with no real meaning as a joke,’ an example being: ‘What the skibidi are you doing?’”
Other new entries include “tradwife,” a label given to conservative-leaning TikTok influencers who promote traditional roles focused on supporting their spouses, raising children, and managing household duties.
Meanwhile, “delulu,” a shortened form of “delusional,” is defined as “believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to.”
Despite their popularity among younger audiences, especially those active on TikTok, these terms have not been universally embraced.
Many from older age groups or those unfamiliar with the platform express discomfort with their growing acceptance in mainstream language.
US-based writer and artist Lee Escobedo reflected critically on the cultural implications of such terms, stating, “Skibidi brainrot encapsulates a generation fluent in irony but starved for meaning. This kind of hyper-chaotic media serves as both entertainment and an ambient worldview for young men raised online. Their minds normalize prank-as-expression.”
These additions illustrate how digital subcultures continue to shape linguistic trends, pushing traditional dictionaries to adapt in order to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
