A friendly reference for new English

What does it mean? New words and slang, explained with sources

Slang, acronyms and old words with new uses, in plain English: where each one turns up, how it is used, and what the explanation rests on.

Trypatootrheostatsand trap

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  • Word

    patoot

    Patoot is an informal word for the buttocks or bottom, also written patootie.

  • Word

    rheostat

    A rheostat is an adjustable resistor used to control electric current by changing resistance. Rheostats is its plural.

  • Word

    sand trap

    A sand trap is a sand-filled hollow or specially prepared sandy area on a golf course, commonly called a bunker.

  • Word

    foofaraw

    Foofaraw means a fuss over something trivial, or flashy, excessive decoration.

  • Word

    gamma ray

    A gamma ray is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation, produced in nuclear processes and energetic events in space.

  • Word

    haberdasher

    A haberdasher is a seller of sewing supplies in British English, or a seller of men's clothing in American English; the word can also mean the shop.

  • Word

    kerfuffle

    Kerfuffle is an informal word for a commotion or fuss, often caused by a disagreement.

  • Word

    metonymy

    Metonymy is a figure of speech that uses the name of something closely associated with a person, thing or idea to refer to it.

  • Word

    protozoology

    Protozoology is the scientific study of the organisms traditionally called protozoa.

  • Word

    scrivener

    A scrivener is a person whose work is copying or writing documents, including formal documents such as contracts or wills.

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  • Slang5 entries

    Informal expressions used in conversations, online communities, and everyday life. Meaning can change with context and tone.

  • New usages1 entry

    Familiar words used in a different way. These entries focus on the contemporary sense and distinguish it from the ordinary meaning.

  • Words33 entries

    Words worth understanding, with plain-English definitions, original examples, and sources for further reading.

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How an entry works

  1. The short answer first

    Every entry opens with a plain definition you can read in one breath.

  2. How it is really used

    Where the word turns up, the tone it carries, and examples written to show typical use.

  3. Sources you can check

    Numbered references beside each meaning, so you can see what the explanation rests on.