Ive often said that the new words created in any era give us a snapshot of that time. Our present preoccupation with green issues is perfectly reflected in the latest additions to most dictionaries.
Collins Dictionary is obviously environmentally aware, with new phrases such as carbon footprint: a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a single endeavour or by a company, household, or individual through day-to-day activities. Or season creep: the gradual changing in the length of the seasons, as demonstrated by earlier flowering of plants, etc, thought by many to be caused by climate change. I particularly like greenwash: a superficial or insincere display of concern for the environment that is shown by an organisation.
The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary has added green audits: the inspection of a company to define its impact on the environment and Chelsea tractors: a British slang term for a gas-guzzling SUV.
Chambers Dictionary now includes electrosmog, the electromagnetic fields emitted by computers and mobile phones and eco-village, a small ecologically-sustainable community. Another environmental term in Chambers is food miles, the distance food produce travels from plough to plate, that is from the place of production to consumption.
This month were giving away 10 prize packs to celebrate Baz Lurhmanns latest film Australia starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. For a chance to win, turn to the back page.
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Happy puzzling!
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