irregardlessificationising

irregardlessificationising (noun. gerund) - the adoption of a neologism by adding extraneous affixes to an already existing and perfectly fine word. For example, using 'irregardless" instead of "regardless". The term is used to mock the use of such words in speech or writing, or by inclusion in dictionaries.

Synonym: affixationizingism

Etymology: Formed by its own example of adding extraneous affixes from irregardless; this is also an example of nouning an adverb. Note that the preferred spelling uses the British -ising for added insult, but may also be spelled irregardlessificationizing with -izing.

"We are still displeased with the irregardlessificationizing of language by adding extraneous affixes to create malarkey words, but pandemic is a fitting #WordOfTheYear."

"So much pretentious business jargon (like 'actionable' or 'ideation' or 'pre-meeting' or 'wordsmithing') uses irregardlessificationising to appear smart in front of co-workers, but is both ridiculous and condescending."

pod

a small group of students who learn together (like peas in a pod), either for academic convenience or due to special circumstances (such pandemic, specialized programs, or homeschooling)

From Merriam-Webster blog:
The origin of pod, referring to a group of marine mammals, isn't known, but in the 20th century it was adopted to refer to small groups of students as well. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this usage has seen an uptick, as educators consider new models for educating students remotely or in small groups referred to as "pods."

Learning pods—also called "pandemic pods," micro-schools or nano-schools—are small groups of students (typically three to 10 children) who learn together outside the classroom but still in person. Some pods are hiring tutors to teach a child's school curriculum; some pods are sharing teaching duties among parents. Other families are opting out of their kids' schools entirely and treating a pod like a home-schooling co-op with an agreed-upon curriculum.
— Dani Blum and Farah Miller, The New York Times, 18 Aug. 2020

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forniscopodium

a gazebo, pavilion, kiosk, or similar structure located in the front yard of a private home, usually prominent, sometimes garish, and intentionally viewable as a means of "one upping the Joneses"

Not only did the new owners tear down the old historic home, they built an oversized McMansion with a hideous forniscopodium and a tiered fountain out front.

sherk

sherk /'sherk'/ (noun) someone who both shirks responsibility to do their own work and steals credit for another person's work, especially to advance themselves at the other's expense.

Etymology: triple portmanteau of "shark" (in the sense of a predator of other's efforts), "shirk" (to avoid work), and "jerk" (a contemptible person).

"Katharine Parker's character in the 1988 film 'Working Girl' is a canonical example of a sherk, an unscrupulous boss who steals her employees' ideas and claims credit for their work, while contributing nothing of value herself."

"Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, who voted 'no' on the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, later tweeted that he deserved credit for passing the widely popular bill, confirming once again that he is an 'odious sherk' as his critics have charged."

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politivist

An activist who runs for or holds political office, especially one who uses their political power to promote or achieve progressive or social reforms.

Etymology: portmanteau of politician and activist, coined by Rep. Cori Bush.

'“I don’t plan to be in Congress for the rest of my life,” Cori Bush said. She hopes instead to be a politician/activist: “a politivist — I’m coining that!” Someone who never stops her work on the ground, but who also can deftly navigate the system of government we have (rather than blowing it up) to enact police reform and give protection to protesters.' (Washington Post, December 22, 2020)

courriel

1) A personal email message, as opposed to a business or commercial email message.
2) A love letter, billet doux, or personal missive sent electronically.

In English, this word was adopted from French due to the lack of distinction between personal and business email usage; the French word simply means "email". In 2003, the Académie Française (French Academy) chose "le courriel" - pronounced "koo ryehl" - as the official French word for "email," but that does not necessarily mean the French person on the street uses it regularly. As noted in the second definition, in English the word can imply a romantic or deeply personal message.

I received a few unexpected courriels today from friends, all of which brightened my day.

busmate

busmate /ˈbusˌmāt/ (noun) a fellow rider on a bus, particularly one rides with regularly. Etymology: compare with classmate.

"Cally is not in my class, but she is my busmate when we ride to school in the morning."

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