New Words for the Digital Generation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This essay proposes eight new English words for recognizable experiences associated with contemporary digital life: algoloop, aura-drain, chronoslump, ghostoria, phubalance, scrollertia, switchnesia, and vibe-fishing. Each term is defined through its word formation, intended meaning, and examples of use. The proposed words describe experiences ranging from algorithmically narrowed content and persistent scrolling to digital context switching, mutually accepted phone use, shifts in social image, and indirect attempts to attract attention online. The essay also considers what may allow a new word to take root, focusing on linguistic economy, emotional resonance, recognizability, and spontaneous spread among speakers. The eight terms are presented as linguistic candidates whose value can only be established through use.
Author: Banovac, Eraldo
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221452860
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