10 new words invented by German teens
Young people have always been creative with language. Combining politics, pop culture and irony, these new expressions are competing to become Germany's Youth Word of the Year.
merkeln
German teenagers use Chancellor Angela Merkel's family name as a verb - and it's not a very flattering one. "Merkeln" means to be unable to take decisions or give your own opinions and can be used to describe someone who just stays there without doing anything.
rumoxidieren
Some people actively decide to stay put. "Rumoxidieren" - to oxidate around - is German youths' hippest new way to chill. Oxidation happens when oxygen molecules interact with other substances. Exposure to too much oxygen is not always a good thing, though: Oxidized wine can become overly sour.
krimmen
This is another verb made from a proper noun inspired by politics: In reference to the crisis between Russia and the Ukraine in the Crimea (spelt "Krim" in German), "krimmen" means to take away something you had previously given to someone.
skylern
Not only politics can inspire new verbs: This one comes from pop culture. In reference to the character of Skyler in "Breaking Bad," German kids now use her name to say someone is getting on their nerves.
Earthporn
Does this picture turn you on? After food porn, some young people in Germany apparently feel that pictures of enticing landscapes should also be glorified as a substitute for sex.
Smombie
It's a combination of "smartphone" and "zombie" and refers to those people who dangerously walk around while using their phone, not looking as smart as they think.
Tinderella
The online dating platform Tinder can be terribly addictive. Girls who spend too much time swiping left and right on the app in search of Prince Charming can be called Tinderella in Germany.
Swaggetarier
Those who, years ago, started spreading the word "swag" in reference to people with superlative style now say it's so overused they can't hear it anymore. German teens put a new twist on the expression by combining it with "Vegetarier," poking fun at those who decide to be vegetarians just for the cool image it gives them.
Discopumper
Another pejorative image term, this one refers to young men who work out just to have good-looking muscles when they go partying. Unlike famous retired body-builder Ronnie Coleman, they concentrate on the biceps and chest and forget the rest.
Bambus
Bamboo: It's cool stuff for a panda. A now some German teens are using the word as a synonym for things they find wicked too. It remains to be seen whether that one will really catch on. Nice. Fresh. Sick. Dope. Bambus.