Cambridge Dictionary Adds ‘Skibidi,’ ‘Tradwife’ and Other Online Slang

LONDON, Aug. 19: The Cambridge Dictionary has expanded its collection with more than 6,000 new entries, many drawn from digital culture, remote work, and evolving social trends.

Among the most eye-catching additions are “skibidi”—a word with multiple playful or nonsensical meanings—and “tradwife,” which refers to women who embrace traditional homemaking roles and often share their lifestyles online.

The word skibidi traces its roots to several viral moments. It was originally popularized by the Russian rave group Little Big through their 2018 track “Skibidi,” which inspired a global dance craze amassing more than 700 million views. The term resurfaced when the YouTube animated series Skibidi Toilet spread widely online, and gained further attention after Kim Kardashian wore a necklace inscribed with the word. In the dictionary, it now carries meanings such as humorous, nonsensical, “cool,” or even “bad.”

Colin McIntosh, Cambridge’s lexical programme manager, said the latest update reflects the profound influence of internet culture on English. “Language is constantly shifting, and online spaces are accelerating that process. Our role is to capture the terms with real staying power,” he explained.

The pandemic-fueled rise of remote and hybrid work also shaped the update. Words like “mouse jiggler”—a device or app designed to mimic activity on a computer—and workplace slang such as “work wife” and “work spouse” are now officially included. Shortened slang has entered as well, such as “delulu,” derived from “delusional,” used to describe someone who chooses to believe unlikely or unrealistic scenarios.

Another notable entry is “broligarchy,” a portmanteau of “bro” and “oligarchy.” It describes small, powerful circles of wealthy men in technology or politics—a term once applied to figures such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.

McIntosh emphasized that Cambridge only accepts terms likely to endure, rather than fleeting online fads. “It’s not every day you see words like skibidi and delulu enter the dictionary,” he said, noting that these additions capture broader cultural shifts shaped by technology, social media, and new workplace realities.