C U L T U R E
URBAN LINGO
Growing up , we were told that you learn nothing from watching TV . To an extent , there ’ s more in the world to explore . However , there ’ s no denying that entertainment has shaped culture and even language . We bet that English majors never saw the word " bootylicious " amongst the 171,476 words in the Oxford English Dictionary . Language is continuously evolving and entertainment is part of the reason . Some words or phrases were not originally created onscreen , but their mention can be credited to a scene from the big screen or TV .
Here are some words , or phrases from television or movies :
1 . Word : Catfish
Meaning : a person who online pretends to be someone else , often to mislead
Where it was used : Catfish ( 2010 )
Example : Some weirdo pretending to be a college student catfished him .
2 . Word : Woo Shem
Meaning : According to former South African Idols judge , Somizi Mhlongo , it means that you have brought the house down .
Where it was used : Idols SA Example : Woo shem ! Sis came through with the outfit ! 3 . Word : Meh
Meaning : This term is used to express indifference or mild disappointment
here it was used : The Simpsons ( 1992 )
8
Example : I don ’ t know why everyone is hyping that party . It was meh for me .
4 . Word : Friend Zone
Meaning : A situation where two people are stuck as friends rather than romantic partners , often with one individual interested in taking things to the next level romantically
Where it was used : Friends ( 1994 )
Example : Are you sure that she ’ s into you like that because you seem to be more in the friend zone than a love interest ?
5 . Word : Gaslight
Meaning : To manipulate a person to a point that they start questioning their own sanity .
Where it was used : Gas light ( 1940 )
Example : Telling me that I ’ m crazy when I know that you ’ re lying is gaslighting