B2 – Upper Intermediate
The Cambridge Dictionary has updated its entries to reflect how people speak today. These changes show how internet culture, social media, and everyday conversations are shaping the way we use language. As new expressions become popular, dictionaries adapt to keep up with the times.
Let’s read the article and explore how this reflects the evolution of English in the digital age.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce93ygv4zzlo
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the phrase “staying power ” mean? “We only add words where we think they’ll have staying power.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does the phrase “to make the cut” mean? “Other work-related words to make the cut include “work wife” and “work spouse”.” Use in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- Define the idiom “to stand the test of time“. “Mr McIntosh said Cambridge Dictionary only added words which they believed could stand the test of time.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you make of the latest words added to the Cambridge Dictionary?
- Share your insights on this, “Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary.“
- How do the words in the article connect with the way you see language changing today?
- In what ways has the internet influenced the way you speak or write?
- What differences have you noticed in the way younger and older people use language?
- Can you think of times when you’ve heard English slang that left you puzzled?