Gen Z slang ‘the ick’, ‘boop’ and 5 more words added to Cambridge dictionary

Boop! The dictionary has more words now – although some may blow your mind.

Cambridge Dictionary added more than 3,200 words this year – including some Gen Z slang terms that will make some people feel old.

While some terms and slang words often disappear from people’s dialects thanks to an ever-evolving language, Wendalyn Nichols, Cambridge Dictionary’s publishing manager, told the BBC that these new additions have “staying power”.

New additions have gained popularity on the Internet and in youth culture in recent years. Here are the Gen Z terms that can now be found in the dictionary:

Ick

Made famous by the reality show ‘Love Island’, Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘ick’ as: ‘a sudden feeling of not liking someone or something or being no longer attracted to someone because of something they do’ .

The dictionary used “give someone the ick” as an example, using it in a sentence: “I used to like Kevin, but seeing him in that suit gave me the ick.”

Boop

Those of you who faithfully watch “Schitt’s Creek” have probably already added “boop” to your vocabulary thanks to Alexis Rose.

“Boop,” an affectionate touch, is defined as “a gentle poke or touch on the nose or head of a person or animal, as a sign of liking or as a joke.”

For example, “Bup is a playful blow to the nose, often accompanied by saying ‘Boop!’

IYKYK

The commonly used acronym has found its permanent home in the dictionary, meaning “if you know you know”.

The Cambridge Dictionary says it is “used, for example in social media and in text messages, to indicate that there is a shared joke or common knowledge with the reader that other people may not understand”.

Face travel

The journey of someone’s face is the series of their expressions as they react to something in real time.

As defined by the Cambridge Dictionary: “a series of expressions that appear on someone’s face indicating different emotions they are experiencing as a reaction to something”.

Boss kiss

This addition to the dictionary is the *chef’s kiss* — the gesture a chef makes to show that something tastes good.

“A movement in which you place your fingers and thumb together, kiss them, and then withdraw your hand from your lips as a way of showing that you think something or someone is perfect or excellent,” says the dictionary definition.

Gaming terminology

Some gaming terminology has also been added to the glossary, as many terms are now being used in everyday conversation.

“These game-inspired words are also starting to influence the way we talk about our offline lives,” said Colin McIntosh, Cambridge Dictionary’s program manager.

For example, in the gaming world, speedrun means “to complete a computer game, or part of a computer game, as quickly as possible” – but offline, it means “to complete something much more faster than usual.”

Side quest means “a part of a computer game that has its own purpose and story, but is not part of the main game” online, but IRL means “an activity that is performed alongside another activity and is less more important than him.”

For example, buying shoes to complete the outfit when the main mission was buying a dress would be a “side quest”.