NFT, halloumi, wokism: New words in Larousse French dictionary 2023

The new words to enter the 2023 edition of the French Larousse dictionary have been revealed and include NFT, crypto art, separatism, konjac, chick lit, and halloumi; alongside a raft of new Covid terms.

The 150 new terms were revealed on May 9. In a release, Éditions Larousse said: “This new edition includes 150 new words, meanings, phrases and expressions that reflect both the vitality and diversity of the French language.”

New words include:

• JNF (NFT):Jeton non-fongible (non-fungible token in English), a non-reproducible and unforgeable digital file representing a unique asset, virtual or physical object (work of art, tweet, piece of music, etc.), which is listed on a blockchain, and to which a digital certificate of authenticity and ownership is associated.

• Crypto art: The artistic movement producing NFTs.

• Wokisme: Ideology from what is dubbed ‘woke’, focused on issues of equality, justice and the defence of minorities, sometimes perceived as an attack on ‘republican universalism’.

• Separatisme: The desire of a minority, usually religious, to place its own laws above national legislation.

• Grossophobie: Fatphobia. The fear and hatred or dislike of fat bodies, of fear of becoming fat.

Covid terms

• Long Covid: A condition reported by people who have had Covid, with symptoms that last for months or years, including fatigue and brain fog.

• Pass vaccinal: The pass that was required in France for entry into some public spaces, attesting to the holder’s vaccination status.

• Sanitaire: Health. Used in relation to Covid, such as the pass sanitaire, used before the pass vaccinal.

• Vaccindrome: Large public centres that were converted into vaccination centres during the pandemic.

• Enfermiste: A term given to people who were in favour of more restrictions and sometimes even lockdowns in France during the pandemic.

• Rassuriste: A term used for people who felt that further restrictions were not needed due to Covid, often contrasted with the word ‘alarmist’.

Foreign terms

• L’halloumi: Greek Cypriot cheese often made with sheep’s and goat’s milk, and fried.

• Le konjac: Root vegetable grown in parts of Asia, especially Japan, and often used to make low-carb food items such as noodles.

• Le kakapo: Large, flightless bird native to New Zealand (not to be confused with the Kiwi).

• La chick lit: French use of the English term used to refer to light, easy-to-read books often marketed at women and girls.

• Le tomte: Mischievous, mythological creature similar to a gnome, goblin, or elf, from Nordic (often Swedish) folklore.

• Le yodel: German and Austrian singing technique from the Alps region.

Proper nouns and names

• Olivier Rousteing: French fashion designer

• Misty Copeland: American ballet dancer

• Thierry Marx: French chef specialising in molecular gastronomy

• Maria Angelita Ressa: Filipino-American, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist.

The Larousse dictionary is one of two reference editions in the French language, alongside Le Robert. It is celebrating its 170th birthday. From June 15, it will include more than 64,000 words and 28,000 proper nouns and names.

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