Cambridge Dictionary updated with Gen Z slang 'boop', 'IYKYK', 'chef's kiss'

Originating from the reality show "Love Island," "the ick" describes a sudden feeling of distaste or loss of attraction towards someone due to their actions. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as: "a sudden feeling that you dislike someone or something or are no longer attracted to someone because of something they do." An example provided is, “I used to like Kevin, but when I saw him in that suit it gave me the ick.”

Boop

Popularised by the character Alexis Rose from the television series "Schitt’s Creek," "boop" refers to an affectionate touch, typically on the nose. It is defined as “a gentle hit or touch on a person’s or animal’s nose or head, showing that you like them or as a joke.” For example, “A boop is a playful poke on the nose, often accompanied by saying ‘Boop!'”

IYKYK

An abbreviation for "if you know you know," "IYKYK" signifies a shared understanding or inside joke that may not be apparent to everyone. The dictionary explains it as “used, for example on social media and in text messages, to show that there is a shared joke or shared knowledge with the reader that other people might not understand.”

Face Journey

This term describes a series of facial expressions that convey different emotions in response to an event. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, it is defined as “a series of expressions that appear on someone’s face showing different emotions that they are experiencing as a reaction to something.”

Chef’s Kiss

A gesture used to express perfection or excellence, "chef’s kiss" involves putting fingers and thumb together, kissing them, then pulling the hand away from the lips. The definition provided is: “a movement in which you put your fingers and thumb together, kiss them, then pull your hand away from your lips as a way of showing that you think that something or someone is perfect or excellent.”

Gaming Terminology

Several terms from the gaming world have also been added, reflecting their crossover into everyday language. "Speedrun," originally meaning to complete a computer game quickly, now also refers to accomplishing any task faster than usual.

"Side quest," which in gaming is a secondary objective, is defined in real life as “an activity that is done in addition to another activity and is less important than it.” For instance, buying shoes while primarily shopping for a dress would be considered a "side quest."