"Skibidi": How to use the newest words added to the Cambridge Dictionary

Social media slang doesn't always make sense — but the popularity of "skibidi," "delulu" and "tradwife" on the internet helped these three phrases cinch spots on the Cambridge Dictionary's list of recently added words.The big picture: Dictionaries add new entries all the time, but the rise of these nonsensical words and others gaining recognition reflects internet culture's power and ability to influence the English language. What they are saying: "We only add words where we think they'll have staying power," Colin McIntosh, a Cambridge lexical program manager, said in a press release announcing the additions."Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the Dictionary," the statement continues.Context: Cambridge has a team of lexicographers who constantly add new words to its online dictionary, according to its website.These lexicographers check an internal research database to gauge how often and where a word is being used before adding it.Merriam-Webster has its own methodology for adding words to its dictionary, but the other linguistic juggernaut added entries for "skibidi," "delulu" and "tradwife" before Cambridge.Zoom out: Words that proliferated on social media and beyond are increasingly being recognized by dictionaries, with internet slang dominating last year's "word of the year" awards.Oxford University Press chose "brain rot," or a word that describes the "supposed deterioration" of a person's brain from scrolling silly or trivial social media posts."Demure" was Dictionary.com's word of the year, which took on a new life after a TikTok creator used it to describe how mindful, reserved and modest one should act in professional, travel and social settings.Collins Dictionary chose "brat" as its word, which they defined as an adjective "characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude."Here's what these words mean so that you can understand the terminally-online:How do I properly use skibidi in a sentence?If you're unsure of how to use "skibidi" in a sentence, don't be. Skibidi is a multi-faceted word with no definite meaning.Cambridge defines "skibidi" as "a word that can have different meanings such as "cool" or "bad," or can be used with no real meaning.One example from the dictionary is, "What the skibidi are you doing?""Skibidi" started as a joke coined by the creator of an online video of human heads swirling around in toilets.It's most often used by Gen Alpha (another new entry), which Cambridge defines as those born in the 2010s.When should I use the word "delulu?""Delulu" is a shortened version of the word delusional. It specifically refers to believing things that are not real or true, usually because you choose to.It's often used in a phrase, and typically takes on a humorous tone.For example, the phrase, "delulu is the solulu" is a play off of the phrase delusion is the solution. "May all your delulu come trululu" refers to the phrase, may all your delusions come true.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese used the phrase "delulu with no solulu" in a speech in Parliament in March to criticize his rivals' policy plans. What does tradwife mean?"Tradwife" is a mix of the words traditional and wife, smashed together. A "tradwife" is a "married woman, especially one who posts on social media, who stays at home doing cooking, cleaning, etc. and has children that she takes care of."Its popularity is also tied to a growing, controversial social media trend that embraces traditional gender roles. Fun fact: All of these words owe their staying power to users participating on devices made by the "broligarchy," or a small group of men, especially those who are rich within the technology industry, who want or have political influence.The word smashes together bro and oligarchy."Broligarchy" has also been added to the Cambridge dictionary.Go deeper:Oxford University Press' 2024 word of the year: "brain rot""Brat" is Collins Dictionary's 2024 word of the year"Demure" is Dictionary.com's 2024 word of the year