The English language is constantly changing, and that's why, every year, there are new, trendy terms you need to incorporate into your vernacular. Usually, they're the words the Oxford English Dictionary adds [1], like "twerk," "selfie," and yes, even "YOLO." And sometimes, the terms are so new, the OED doesn't pick them up until much later. We're combining all the phrases we've heard this year, from the underground to the practically mainstream, in a handy glossary. Keep reading to find out what made the list, and don't forget to check out the tweets that got you talking [2] and the pictures that blew up the internet [3] this year.
Source: Getty [4], NBC [5], Tumblr user taylorswift [6]
1989 / nein-teen-ay-tee-nein / n.
The top selling album [7] of 2014 and Taylor Swift [8]'s third consecutive album to sell 1 million copies in the first week. Also, not by coincidence, 1989 is the year Taylor Swift was born.
Adele Dazeem / uh-dell-duh-zeem / n.
The name actor John Travolta used [9] when introducing renowned singer Idina Menzel at the 2014 Oscars. Hers is the voice you've likely heard thousands of times singing "Let It Go."
#AlexFromTarget / al-lecks-fruhm-tarr-geht / hash.
The absurdly cute Target employee [10] who became famous completely unbeknownst to him, when a random teen shared a picture of him that promptly went viral. He then totally went with the flow.
all right (all right all right) / awl-raht-awl-raht-awl-raht / interj.
The official, trademarked catchphrase of Matthew McConaughey [11]. Not only did Matthew utter it many times during 2014's award season, but a large crop of celebrities [12] have used the phrase while doing their best impressions of him.
See also: McConaissance [13]
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge / ay-ell-ess-eis-buck-it-chall-inge / n.
The philanthropic movement [14] that made a lot of people feel really good but also put California's drought in crisis mode. It involved pouring an ice-cold bucket of water on your head and nominating other friends to participate in the name of ALS research. Celebrity participants included Henry Cavill in his Superman suit [15], Liam Hemsworth in a TMNT onesie [16], and Jennifer Aniston, with the help of Justin Theroux [17].
"Anaconda" / an-uh-cawn-duh / n.
The popular Nicki Minaj song [18], the title of which refers to Sir Mix-a-Lot's 1992 hit, "Baby Got Back." The single also features a sample of said '90s classic.
Ansel Elgort / an-sole-ell-gore-t / n.
The young man [19] who broke millions of teenage hearts around the world with his portrayal of Augustus Waters in The Fault in Our Stars. He also likes to DJ.
bae / bay / n.
A term used by one person to refer to his or her significant other. Sometimes thought to derive from the acronym "before anyone else."
basic b*tch / bay-sick-bit-ch / n.
A term used to refer to individuals who enjoy simpler pleasures in life. There are many signs you're a basic b*tch [20]. These include, but are not limited to, pumpkin spice lattes, romantic comedies, and nail art.
belfie / bell-fee / n.
A selfie of your butt. The first known mainstream incarnations of the belfie came from Instagram star Jen Selter [21].
See also: #BreakTheInternet [22]
bless / buh-less / v.
To help another being ascend to a new level of spirituality and understanding through music, performance, and other means.
Ex. "Beyoncé's VMAs performance outfit [23] looked like church windows, because she came to bless the hell out of us."
booty / bü-tea / n.
A focal point on the female body that, until recently, was not addressed in mainstream popular culture, but has, nonetheless, been around since the beginning of time.
See also: Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda," Jennifer Lopez's "Booty" video [24]
#BreakTheInternet / bray-k-thee-in-tur-net / hash.
An attempt to stop the Internet from functioning, by way of booty. While the results of Kim Kardashian's attempts [25] are clear, the images in question made waves on said Internet.
See also: belfie [26]
broom broom / brum-brum / interj.
A declaration used to simulate the engine of a running automobile. The girl who first uttered the words in the above Vine has since become famous on Tumblr and other social networking sites.
bulge / bull-juh / n.
A focal point on the male body [27] which, until recently, was not addressed by popular culture, but has, nonetheless, been around since the beginning of time. Memorable bulge moments from 2014 include Nick Jonas's spread in Flaunt [28] and Jared Leto's onstage antics [29].
See also: Mario Götze [30]
consciously uncouple / cawn-shus-lee-un-cup-oll / adv. v.
A term used by Gwyneth Paltrow [31], which she thought most accurately described the process of separating from her husband, Chris Martin [32]. She used the phrase in context as follows: "We have always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope that as we consciously uncouple and coparent, we will be able to continue in the same manner." Each couple must select their own relationship status terminology [33].
crowdfund / crah-owd-fuhnd / v.
The act of asking the world for money [34] to fund projects in exchange for silly things, like producer credits, mashed potatoes, etc. It has since been used for more and more useless goals, such as paying Uber bills.
Esmeralda Amada / ez-muh-rel-duh-uh-mah-duh / n.
The name Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes bestowed [35] upon their daughter.
"Ew!"/ ew / interj.
The title of a popular Jimmy Fallon skit [36], it's an exclamation used to refer both to something inherently abhorrent and inherently pleasurable.
Ex. "I get to see One Direction tomorrow! Ew!"
Ex. "I have so much homework to do tonight. Ew!"
feminist / fem-in-isst / n.
A term commonly thought by a great many individuals to mean "a person who loves women and hates men," but actually means "a person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes," as the popular Beyoncé song "***Flawless" [37] isn't afraid to point out.
FKA Twigs / eff-kay-ay-twigz / n.
The awesome alternative-music artist who got attention for her relationship with Robert Pattinson [38]. She made her US debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon [39] in November.
***Flawless / ***fuh-law-liss / adj.
How Beyoncé wakes up.
See also: feminist [40]
I Am Not Famous Anymore / eye-am-nawt-fay-muss-eh-nee-moar / interj.
A phrase used by Shia LaBeouf [41] to achieve exactly the opposite of the sentiment it expresses.
Related: #IMSOSORRY, #METAMARATHON
Mario Götze / maw-ree-oh-goat-zuh / n.
A player from Germany's World Cup winning soccer team who became famous not for his skills on his field, but for something else entirely [42].
See also: bulge [43]
McConaissance / mick-cawn-nuh-sawnss / n.
The event whereby Matthew McConaughey swept award season [44] and won the hearts of millions with his marked turn to serious roles on both the big and small screens.
See also: all right (all right all right) [45]
"mom" / mawm / slang
A term of endearment used by teenagers, including Lorde [46], to express admiration and adoration.
Ex. "@taylorswift13 mom notice me [47]"
Noah Ritter (alt. Apparently Kid) / no-uh-ritt-er / n.
A young man who became famous [48] for his frequent, unyielding use of the word "apparently" [49] during a local news interview and in doing so landed a segment on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
no its becky / noh-its-bek-key / interj.
An old Taylor Swift meme on Tumblr [50] that was resurrected by Taylor herself when she wore a t-shirt bearing the same phrase, causing Tumblr and Twitter alike to implode.
on fleek / awn-fleek / adj.
An alternate use of "on point."
Ex. "Hot damn. Emma Watson [51]'s eyebrows are on fleek [52]."
pengwing (alt. penwing, penling, penwin) / peh-n-guh-ween-g / n.
The approximate pronunciation of the word "penguin," as said by Benedict Cumberbatch [53].
polar vortex / poh-luhr-vore-tex / n.
An era of ridiculously unprecedented and chilling temperatures [54] across the United States.
read / reed / v.
To tell someone the truth about themselves, often in the most brutal way possible.
Ex. When Gabourey Sidibe [55] tweeted at all the body critics [56] after the Golden Globes, she was basically reading all her haters at once.
Sochi / soh-chee / n.
The location of the 2014 Winter Olympics [57], which were filled with puppies [58], an unimpressed Ashley Wagner [59] — who made the above face when she felt she was scored unfairly — and a fake wolf [60].
serfbort (alt. surfboardt, surfbort, surfboart) / suhrf-bow-rt / n.
While the term was coined in late 2013 with the release of Beyoncé's surprise album, Beyoncé, it experienced wide usage throughout the duration of 2014. The lyric in question goes as follows: "Then I fill the tub up halfway then ride it with my serfbort." Many individuals have appropriated the term to reference partying, or "turning up."
See also: turn up [61]
#Taylurking / tay-luhr-keeng / hash.
A term Taylor Swift [62] invented to alert her fans that she's always watching. Taylor has reblogged fan videos and collaged images and responded to fan questions, all with said hashtag.
Tim Howard / tim-hah-werd / n.
The US Men's National Team goalie who was unofficially appointed the new US Secretary of Defense, since his World Cup blocking skills [63] were so proficient.
Ex. "Tim Howard wore army pants and flip flops so I wore army pants and flip flops." [64]
turn up / tern-ep / noun
The act of going wild, of partying. Most often associated with the Lil Jon song "Turn Down For What?" Michelle Obama [65] recently tweaked the popular phrase [66] to promote better health and diet for families and young children.
Related words or phrases: turnt
Vitalii Sediuk / vi-tall-ee-said-ee-ook / n.
A Ukrainian media personality who, for some strange reason, will not stop harassing real human beings [67].
See also: literally the worst
unimpressed / un-im-prest / adj.
The state of being completely underwhelmed by anything and everything in your general vicinity.
Notable examples: Prince George [68], North West [69]
yasss / yasss / interj.
A declaration used to express extreme approval.
Ex. "Yassss, Gaga! Yasss! You look so good!"