A living language OR English on fleek

English, like you and me, is forever changing. It may not be a living, breathing matter but it is constantly evolving in response to a variety of factors including migration, culture and technology.

Especially technology. 

Just the other day I was struck by how technology, namely texting, had changed the way I use the English language (i.e: incorrectly). For some reason, I started using "high-larious" instead of "hilarious" when texting close friends a while back. When the time came for me to use the word hilarious in a "non-textual" environment, I couldn't remember how to spell it. 

Actually, that's a lie. I thought it was spelled the way I had been writing it over text.

Groan.

Because of how time-consuming, and frustrating, it can sometimes be to text (especially with my new killer claws) I've developed a slew of acronyms and abbreviations to save time: addy instead of address, b4 instead of before, k instead of okay and tom instead of tomorrow, for example.

The problem is, after repeated use of texting slang I'm starting to forget how to write correctly. 

And that scares me.

All of this got me thinking about the evolution of language, English specifically. Every year, the Oxford English Dictionary enters new words and revises versions of existing entries. The amount of new words the OED enters is nothing compared to the amount of new words actually being used by English speakers the world round.

2014 was particularly ripe with new words. As such, I've decided to dedicate this blog post to the top 10 new words that are "on fleek"  right now. On fleek, most obvs, is one of them.

All definitions come from the Urban Dictionary, unless otherwise indicated.

1. Amazeballs: a douchey/hollywoody way to say amazing, originated by a Youtube comedy duo named Jessica and Hunter and popularized by blogger Perez Hilton. 
*otherwise indicated: the word "balls" can be added to a variety of words, for no apparent reason. Shadeballs, for example, refers to a particularly shady, or "sketchy," person or event.

2. Bae: the most f@$#%&g annoying way to say girlfriend, boyfriend, crush, or any other sort of significant other. Commonly used by ghetto folks, swagfags, and annoying f$%ktards.
*otherwise indicated: ummm... alrighty then.   

3. Erday: means everyday, just slurred a little bit.
*otherwise indicated: erday I'm hustlin'.

 the boss, aka the teflon don, aka ricky rozay, aka rick ross

4. FOMO: a state of mental or emotional strain caused by the Fear Of Missing Out.

"my FOMO is through the roof!"

5. Hashtag: the battle cry of hipsters OR a way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic.

6. On fleek: when your eyebrows, eyelashes, outfit, makeup or any other s$%t like that is on point.
*otherwise indicated: the first time I saw the words "on fleek" was on JLo's Instagram. It was in reference to her eyebrows. I had to look it up. Embarrassing much?

7. OOTD: means Outfit Of The Day. Usually refers to a picture of someone's clothes found on social media such as instagram, twitter, pinterest, tumblr or facebook. 
*otherwise indicated: I had to look this one up just this week. At 39, I'm obvs a grandmother now.

8. Steeze: style and ease, you put it together and get steeze.  
*otherwise indicated: too similar to "skeeze" for me to use comfortably.

9. Turnt up: phrase coined by Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa that basically means to go HAM at a party, usually while intoxicated.  
*otherwise indicated: really??? I thought it came from this song...

 turn down for what by dj snake and lil john

10. YOLO: abbreviation for You Only Live Once. Also, one of the most annoying abbreviations ever.

*otherwise indicated: popularized by Drake in his song The Motto, along with "erday."

 the motto: drake, lil wayne and tyga

And then there's this... the battle cry of a generation:

 YOLO: the lonely island with adam levine and kendrick lamar

Can anyone guess what YODO means? 

LOL. 







 

Miley March madness countdown

The countdown to "getting our twerk on" has begun! 

In exactly 24 days, me and the Rens get to see Miley Cyrus ride a giant hot dog at the Bell Centre. 

If that isn't something to look forward to I don't know what is!

I've professed my love, and admiration, for Miley on this blog before (like here, and here). Despite this fact, and the fact that she is a very talented singer, I regularly get met with inquisitive, shocked and even judgy looks of disapproval when I tell people that I'm a fan.

People act like she's the first woman to use her sexuality (in addition to her tongue and teddy bears) to sell albums.

Beyonce? Check. Britney Spears? Check. Katy Perry? Check. Lady Gaga? Check. Madonna? Check. Rihanna? Check. Shakira? Check. Xtina? Check. 

Etc.

The difference between her and them (apart from Xtina) is that she actually has the vocal talent to back up "her antics."

miley performing lana del rey's summertime sadness

What never ceases to amaze me is how people aren't critical of men who use naked women (I'm talking to you Robin Thicke in Blurred Lines!) as accessories, but are quick to judge women who... use themselves.

Or as Lily Allen puts it, "it's hard out here for a b$#*&!"

Gender inequalities aside... here's to fans of Miley including Bastille (who perform a decidedly "turnt up" version of We Can't Stop) and Sarah Blackwood, of Walk off the Earth fame, who delivers a a hauntingly beautiful version of Wrecking Ball with her equally talented friends. 

Friday five

"I never panic when I get lost. I just change where it is I want to go."
Rita Rudner

When I first started this blog two years ago I planned on posting some kind of list every Friday, with five items. I was inspired by Cupcakes and Cashmere's Emily Schuman who dedicates Fridays to her five favourite things of the week.  

While I've somewhat strayed off the path I (perhaps over-enthusiastically) set up for myself, I'd like to get back on it. As such, here is a list of five things that I'd like to do in 2014.

1. Make osso bucco 
Okay, this is a bit of a lie because I actually made it two weeks ago BUT it was the first time I had ever made it AND it was in 2014. So there. I know veal is not everyone's bag, for obvious reasons, but the name osso bucco just sounds so round, and delicious, that I had to try it. I checked out a few recipes online, including Jamie Oliver's and Giada de Laurentiis', but both were a little ingredient-heavy (aka I didn't have all of them) so I made my own pared-down version which included: veal shank, butter, garlic, onion, carrots, stewed (organic) tomatoes, red wine, chicken broth and salt and pepper. It was the best thing I have eaten in a long, long time.    

2. Try roller-derby
Roller-derby is a contact sport played by really hot, tough, cool girls. (You see what I just did there? lol). Ever since watching Whip it, with Ellen Page, Juliette Lewis and Drew Barrymore, I have been dying to try my hand, foot, roller skate at it. I have also been scared. Really scared. I bruise easily, you see. I have a feeling one "game" of roller-derby would leave me black and blue for days - if not weeks. But I also kind of think that's hot, tough, cool!

On a semi-side note, but not really, I first heard Jolene, by Dolly Parton, while watching Whip It and immediately fell in love with it. 

You know who else sings Jolene?

My main gal.

Which brings me to #3...

3. See Miley Cyrus in concert
On March 29th me and my two Ren's are dedicating a full 24 hours to Miley... and twerking. We've booked a hotel room and plan to spend precious pre-concert time coordinating our outfits while getting turnt up and... twerking. I don't have anything further to say about this other than... can't wait!   

4. Make a budget (and stick to it)
I have never, ever, made a budget. I have also never, ever been in debt. Until this year. In an effort to understand, and curb, my spending as well as return to my previous debt-free status I plan on making a budget. Income, fixed expenses, variable expenses, debt repayment and, yes, savings will all be included and accounted for (as well as laughed/cried at). Gail Vaz-Oxlade (now that's a mouthful of letters) has a great online tool to help me get debt free by 2015.  Go Gail!

 

   who knew this to be untrue?

5. Learn Polish 
This is also a bit of a lie, admittedly, because I already understand Polish (what with being Polish and all). But speaking Polish is another matter entirely. I'm technically quadrilingual but two of my four languages leave something to be desired, namely Polish and Japanese. I've been trying to sign up for a relatively inexpensive Polish class with the McGill Polish Students' Association for several months now to no avail. Which means I have to get crafty...