A Fresh Wave of Idiomatic Expressions, Such as Skibidi and Tradwife, Admittance into the Cambridge Dictionary - How Familiar are You with These Phrases?
New Slang Words Enter the Cambridge Dictionary, Reflecting Internet Culture's Influence on Language
The Cambridge Dictionary has expanded its vocabulary with the addition of several new terms that have gained popularity in internet and social media culture. Among these new words are "skibidi," "tradwife," and "delulu."
"Skibidi," a gibberish term coined by the creator of the viral YouTube animated series "Skibidi Toilet," has flexible meanings such as "cool," "bad," or sometimes used without any real meaning as a joke. The term reflects a playful, nonsensical aspect of online humor.
"Tradwife" is a contraction of "traditional wife," describing a married woman (usually a mother) who embraces traditional gender roles—cooking, cleaning, and often sharing aspects of this lifestyle on social media. It symbolizes a cultural trend that revolves around traditional family values and domestic roles, amplified by platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
"Delulu" is a shortened form of "delusional," used to describe someone who believes things that are not true or real, typically by choice or wishful thinking. While popularized on social media, the term has existed in speech communities longer than many realize.
Their entry into the Cambridge Dictionary in 2025 came after lexicographers observed their common and sustained use, especially by younger generations communicating heavily via social media. Colin McIntosh, a Cambridge Dictionary lexical program manager, explained that they only add words where they see staying power in usage.
Remote working also contributed to the inclusion of "mouse jiggler" in the dictionary. This term refers to a device or software used to simulate work activity, a necessity for many working from home.
The Cambridge Dictionary relies on a database of over two billion words to observe new words and their usage. Experts note that many of these terms evolved directly from online communities and platforms like TikTok and YouTube, illustrating how internet culture continually shapes modern English.
In sum, the inclusion of these new slang words reflects the significant impact of internet and social media culture on language, capturing how new slang rises from digital trends into formal recognition.
Additionally, "Forever chemicals" are man-made substances that do not naturally break down and can pollute the environment or the body. This term, with a toxic connotation, has also been added to the Cambridge Dictionary.
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- The popularization of terms like "skibidi," "tradwife," "delulu," and "mouse jiggler" on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube has led to their inclusion in the Cambridge Dictionary, showcasing the influence of fashion-and-beauty trends, lifestyle choices, technology, and general news on internet culture and language.
- Expanding beyond internet-based slang, the Cambridge Dictionary has also added the term "forever chemicals," referring to man-made substances resistant to degradation that pose environmental and health risks, highlighting the dictionary's coverage of general-news topics and their relevance to language evolution.
