2009 will forever go down in history as the year that two major events occurred -- 1) Americans elected their first African-American president and 2) English-speaking individuals (as a whole) officially acquired 1 million words in their language. Both occurances are massive in proportion, but I’m sure that our president would be happy to take a momentary break from the spotlight in favor of the English language being given its props.
Apart from the random person living in an insulated bubble far-far away from other human beings and/or sources of cultural stimulation, the majority of us are subject to the constant evolution of our vocabulary as we interact with others. Catchphrases that crop up in small social circles can ultimately die out over time, but now, through the magic of the internet and social networks, these newly formed words have a tendency to take on a life of their own. Anyone can get a sense of what our society is grappling with at a certain moment in time simply by taking a look at the slang and catchphrases that we use.
By now, we’re all more than likely aware of the greenification of America and many of us have either gone green or are striving to become as eco-conscious as possible. Some actively reduce their carbon footprint via hypermiling, eating clean sources of meat and certified USDA organic produce and even try their hand at vermicomposting. Others seek out green collar jobs and purchase eco-chic products that use biodynamic, wildcrafted, harmonically-grown ingredients. The common denominator in the three previous sentences you just read – many of those terms didn’t exist in our vernacular just a few short years ago but today they’ve become so widespread that they can actually be found in the dictionary. How well do you know YOUR eco-slang? Review the 16 words that follow and feel free to add any additional eco/green-themed words that you know to the comments section below!
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CARBOREXIA: A person afflicted with an obsession to minimize their carbon footprint via extreme lifestyle adjustments.
CRUNCHYCON: A conservative who is not only ecologically aware but also exclusively uses natural products and organic foods. [a.k.a. crunchy conservative.]
ECO-ANXIETY: Worry or stress brought on by depressing media coverage of the latest environmental issue
ECOCHONDRIAC: A person who tracks all conceivable weather patterns, pointing toward every major and minor aberration as evidence of global warming.
ECO-CONSUMER: An environmentally conscious person who buys products that are safe for the environment.
ECOCRITE: A rich person who browbeats the middle class for contributing to the carbon footprint simply by breathing, despite being guilty of air conditioning a 20,000 square foot McMansion and owning a personal jet.
ECO-DEXTEROUS: Something that helps to preserve environmental and economic resources, such as solar panels or a hybrid vehicle.
ECO-SEXUAL: A single, environmentally conscious person with a strong aesthetic sense.
EARTHY-CRUNCHY: A person with hippie or tree-hugging tendencies; someone stuck in the 60s.
GARBAGE JUICE: The liquid leaking from a torn garbage bag, most commonly found on sidewalks in large cities.
GLOBAL WEIRDING: An increase in severe or unusual environmental activity often attributed to global warming, such as freakish weather and new animal migration patterns.
GREENSCAMMING: Giving environmentally friendly names to groups or products that have little or nothing to do with the environment.
GREENWASHING: Manufacturers who make false claims that their products are eco-friendly, sustainable or organic etc.
SOLAR GUERRILLA: A person who uses an alternative energy source such as solar power to illegally direct electricity back to the public utility grid.
WITCHES KNICKERS: Plastic bags that have caught in trees or bushes.
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COME ON, IT'S YOUR TURN. YOU TALK TO YOUR PEEPS...YOU'RE DOWN WITH THE LATEST AND GREATEST. HOW 'BOUT SHARING YOUR CUTTING-EDGE ECO-SLANG WITH THE REST OF US? ;)
http://agricultureguide.org/eco-slang-how-green-is-your-lingo/
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