Language Café

Definition: a) digital-technology expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often used disparagingly by others).b) person who has excessive enthusiasm for and some expertise about a specialized subject or activity.c) A peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, or socially awkward. Origin: In the first half of the 20th century, geek was the word for a circus sideshow performer who bit the heads off small live animals. Geeks were meant to put on horrifying spectacles for the normal people in the audience. In the 1980s this was used to apply to smart and tech-savvy (but awkward) individuals.

[Definition] Shorthand for feelings. [Origin] The word "feels" was popularized by the Internet slang expression "I know that feel bro". In 2012, Urban Dictionary submitted an entry for "feels," defining it as a shorthand for the word "feelings.

Definition: Two things are almost the same or equal. Origin: A dozen is from old French for the number '12'.

Definition: 1. A person serving a life sentence in prison2. A person who spends their life in a particular career or place.Origin: From the early 1800s. Slang originating from people serving life in prison.

Definition: In its figurative sense, it means to show impatience while delayed, or just to be eager to start.Origin: The 'bit' in this instance is a stick placed between a horse's teeth during horse races. The horse can grind his teeth or jaw against the bit, and if it does, it means that the horse is either nervous, or really excited about racing.

Definition: To dismiss (an idea or suggestion) as being foolish or impractical.Origin: "Pooh", was a common expression used to express disgust in the 19th century.

Definition: An informal way of saying someone has died.Origin: The phrase "6 feet under" originated in London, England in 1665. It came about as London was being ravaged by the Beubonic Plague. The plague was so rampant that the death rate reached 7,000 per week at its height. The mayor of London at the time issued a decree that all plague deaths had to be buried at least "6 feet under" to help halt the spread of infection. Londoners believed the plague could be spread by the dead as well as the living and 6 feet underground was deep enough to contain the infection.

Definition: 1. To skip out on a bill or not pay someone when you promised to.2. To be overly boring or formal.3. A corpse.Origin: Meaning "fail to tip" is from 1939, originally among restaurant and hotel workers, probably from stiff (n.), perhaps in slang sense of "corpse" (because dead men don't tip), or from the "contemptible person" sense. Extended by 1950 to "cheat."

Definition:  (in a discussion or review of a film, book, television drama, etc.) a warning that an important detail of the plot development is about to be revealed.   Origin: The Usenet archives compiled on the Google Groups page reveals that nerds were bandying about the phrase as early as June 8 1982, when a commenter placed "[SPOILER ALERT]" before mentioning a detail about Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Definition: An apparently modest or self-deprecating statement which actual purpose is to draw attention to something that you're proud of.Origin: A combination of the word humble and brag. In 2010 Harris Wittels made a twitter handle, coining the word.