Do you speak 2016?

The year has been so discombobulating that we’ve had to invent a whole new lexicon just to process it, says Robyn Wilder

ADULTING

Pulling up your socks and getting on with the dull/scary business of grown-up admin. Booked your smear test? Eaten your five-a-day? Congratulations, you have ‘adulted’. Do say: ‘Today I adulted. I looked at my bank balance with BOTH EYES OPEN.’ Don’t say: ‘Adulting is so easy! What are you talking about?’

BREGRET

The sensation some Leave voters experienced on realising the downsides of Britain leaving the EU. Do say: ‘Struggling with Bregret today… make mine a stiff one.’ Don’t say: ‘Bregretfully, I must decline your invitation to rejoin the EU.’

HYGGE

That ethereal Nordic notion of cosy/ friendship/comfortable/well-being that’s storming the nation with cookbooks and cable-knit jumpers by the fireside. Do say: ‘Well, the wind’s getting up. Let’s all hygge at my house.’ Don’t say: ‘Actually, it’s pronounced “hoo-gah”.’ No one cares.

POST-TRUTH

The theory that Donald Trump and pro-brexiteers swayed public opinion using emotion rather than facts. Do say: ‘Post-truth is the Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Year.’ Don’t say: ‘I’m post-truth now. These days I’m all about lying.’

JOMO

First there was FOMO (fear of missing out), now there’s JOMO (joy of missing out) – the unabashed pleasure of turning down a night of forced socialising until you’re a husk in heels, in favour of sofa-surfing. Do say: ‘New Year’s Eve rave, you say? Total JOMO, thanks.’ Don’t say: ‘Sorry boss, I don’t fancy coming to your wedding. JOMO!’

WOKE

Born online as part of the #blacklivesmatter movement, it describes not blindly trusting what you’re told, and speaking out about injustice. Now adopted to redress all manner of discrimination. Do say: ‘JK Rowling speaking out about racial injustice is totally woke.’ Don’t say: ‘Hashtag woke up, you hashtag sheeples!’