About 8,500 new words enter the English language each year bringing the total to over a million (according to a study by Harvard and Google). However, nearly 50% of these words never make it into dictionaries and were dubbed ”Lexical Dark Matter” in the study.
Why it matters
Words matter. What you say with words matters even more. The words you choose on a date can be the difference between them leaving early or getting that second date. But sometimes just listening and using minimal words can make you mysterious and interested. Words and their use can be a paradox.
Words—and the way they are delivered—have fueled the rise of empires and dictators, shaped the election of unlikely presidents, and even taken humanity to the moon. Thoughtful questions and active listening (using minimal words) show interest, while sharing wisdom through carefully chosen words makes you compelling.
And who doesn’t like a sapiosexual?
Going deeper
Any industry has its own words, lexicon and language. They also have many acronyms. And an acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a phrase or a group of words). As we now all know, “AI” is short for “Artificial Intelligence.” But there are few more acronyms tossed around on the topic of AI that are worth noting:
- LLM – Large Language Models. Behind this simple 3 letter acronym sits an entire industry and science. So what is a Large Language Model (LLM)? “An LLM is an advanced type of AI designed to understand, generate, and respond to human language in a way that feels natural. It’s trained on massive datasets containing text from books, articles, websites, and more, allowing it to recognize patterns, predict text, and provide coherent responses.”
- AGI – Artificial General Intelligence. AGI refers to an advanced form of artificial intelligence that can perform any intellectual task that a human being can do. Unlike current AI systems, which are designed for specific tasks (like language processing, image recognition, or playing chess), AGI would have the ability to learn, reason, and adapt across a wide range of activities without being specifically programmed for each one.
- ASI – Artificial Super Intelligence. ASI refers to a hypothetical form of AI that surpasses human intelligence in every aspect—not just in specific tasks or domains, but in general reasoning, creativity, problem-solving, and even social and emotional intelligence.
Some popular acronyms that stand in for words (and phrases)
I have been known to go to Google to decipher a text acronym that has been sent to me. Many of us know a few of the ones below but depending on your phone obsession and your generation, the others are often lost in translation:
- LOL – Laugh Out Loud
- BRB – Be Right Back
- OMG – Oh My God
- ROFL – Rolling On the Floor Laughing
- YOLO – You Only Live Once
- FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out
- BFF – Best Friends Forever
- SMH – Shaking My Head
- IDK – I Don’t Know
- ICYMI – In Case You Missed It
11 weird words and phrases you may have never heard of
The fast evolving pace of technology and AI means we need to create new words and having fun with them makes them memorable. Here are a few to share at your next dinner party or conversation:
- Phygital: The integration of physical and digital experiences.
- Flearning: Learning through failure; embracing failure as part of growth.
- Parasocial Relationship: A one-sided emotional connection with a media personality or influencer.
- Lazy Girl Job: A low-stress, remote job that allows for work-life balance.
- Clout Chaser: Someone who seeks attention or fame, often by associating with influencers.
- AI Slop: Low-quality, AI-generated content saturating the internet.
- Algospeak: Coded language used to avoid social media algorithm censorship.
- Brain Rot: Mental fatigue caused by excessive consumption of low-quality online content.
- Dead Internet Theory: The idea that much of the internet activity is generated by bots rather than humans.
- Meanderthal: A humorous term for someone who takes a long time to get to the point during conversations, especially in professional settings.
- Clocksucker: A colloquial term for an unproductive worker who idly waits for the workday to end, contributing little to no value during office hours.
My favourites are Meanderthal, Brain Rot and Clout Chaser.
Bottom line
Choosing words carefully can make a big difference in life. It means that you will be understood. Or misunderstood.
It may mean you have communicated with clarity or just plain confused them. It may mean getting that job you dreamed of or snagging that second date that may change the rest of your life. But having some fun with words can be conversational entertainment. And who doesn’t like a bit of fun.
The post 11 Weird Words You Didn’t Know Exist—But They Define AI and the Digital World appeared first on jeffbullas.com.
* This article was originally published here
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