Friday, May 8, 2020

Words, Words, and More (Dutch) Words


The Dutch are letting their creativity shine in the lexicography of the pandemic. CNN reports that 700 new words have been added to the Coronawoordenboek, including gems like huidhonger (skin hunger: a longing for human contact while in isolation, druppelcontact (spray-contact: the exchange of little droplets when coughing or sneezing), and toogviroloog (blather virologist: one who spreads false or unsubstantiated information about the virus).