"Cambridge Dictionary adds 'Skibidi' and 'tradwife' to its list of contemporary slang terms"
The Cambridge Dictionary has expanded its collection to include several slang terms that reflect the evolving language of the internet and youth culture. These words, tradwife, skibidi, delulu, lewk, inspo, mouse jiggler, and forever chemical, represent distinct facets of digital and meme-driven contexts that emerged between roughly 2010 and 2025.
Tradwife is a portmanteau of traditional wife, describing women who adopt traditional gender roles, often associated with conservative or retro family values. It gained popularity on social media platforms as part of cultural discussions and debates about modern gender norms and lifestyle choices.
Skibidi is a playful, viral slang term linked to an internet meme and song that became popularized through platforms like TikTok. It exemplifies how absurd and catchy content can spawn slang that spreads rapidly across generations, especially Gen Alpha and Gen Z.
Delulu is a clipped form of “delusional” used humorously or ironically online to describe someone being unrealistically optimistic or out of touch with reality. This reflects the digital culture of witty shorthand evolving for quick, relatable communication.
Lewk is a stylized spelling of “look,” especially referring to a distinctive fashion or aesthetic style. It emerged within influencer and fashion communities on Instagram and TikTok, becoming a shorthand term for a curated or intentional appearance.
Inspo is an abbreviation of “inspiration,” widely adopted across social media to refer to sources or ideas that motivate creative or lifestyle choices. It reflects the rapid, image-driven sharing culture of platforms like Pinterest and Instagram that cultivate trends.
Mouse jiggler is a tech-related slang term originating from a physical or software device that simulates mouse movement to prevent screensavers or status changes on computers. Its inclusion in popular slang indicates how working-from-home and remote setups have influenced everyday jargon.
Forever chemical refers to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), industrial chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment. Its slang use has been popularized as environmental awareness grows, turning scientific jargon into accessible terms that highlight ecological concerns among younger generations.
The evolution of such terms is rooted in the interplay of meme culture, social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Roblox), and generational digital experiences. Generation Alpha (born 2010-2024) plays a significant role as the first to grow up fully immersed in this digital ecosystem, adapting and inventing slang rapidly through gaming, meme sharing, and influencer culture. This generation's slang emphasizes brevity, humor, irony, and cultural fusion drawing heavily from earlier Gen Z influences while adding fresh twists.
The overall history of internet slang shows that terms often arise through borrowings and adaptations from existing language (e.g., “delulu” from “delusional”), stylized spellings for effect or identity (e.g., “lewk”), viral content and memes that spread rapidly online (e.g., “skibidi”), technological and societal changes introducing new concepts (e.g., “mouse jiggler,” “forever chemical”), and cultural debates that embed language with values (e.g., “tradwife”). These forms evolve continuously, reflecting the technologies, cultural dynamics, and values of their times while becoming documented and legitimized through sources like the Cambridge Dictionary.
In brief, these slang terms illustrate the recent, tech-driven evolution of language shaped by internet culture, reflecting a blend of humor, identity, technology, and social discourse primarily crystallized since the early 2020s.
Additionally, the term "forever chemical" has gained traction due to growing concerns about the irreversible impact of climate change on human health and the environment. The term "lewk" has been popularized by RuPaul's Drag Race and is used to describe a unique fashion look.
- The term "tradwife" originated from cultural discussions and debates about modern gender norms and lifestyle choices on social media, reflecting its association with tradition, family values, and contemporary life.
- The use of "delulu" online implies a humorous or ironic perspective, implying someone being unrealistically optimistic or out of touch with reality, showcasing the evolution of witty shorthand in digital culture.
- The term "forever chemical" highlights ecological concerns among younger generations, as it refers to pervasive industrial chemicals in the environment, while also reflecting environmental awareness and the growing focus on sustainability.
