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Words of 2017 - from la perche à selfie to geeker and twittosphère

The popular Le Petit Robert French dictionary has been updated with some of the latest buzz words for its new 2017 edition, from la twittosphère to uberiser.

The former relates to the community of those posting and reading on Twitter and the latter means to transform and destabilise a business sector with an innovative business model making use of new technologies.

There are more signs of the times with Youtubeur and verbs geeker and troller – to spend your time on your computer (‘il a geeké toute la journée’), and to behave like a ‘troll’ on the internet, by posting insulting or provocative remarks.

Also borrowed from English is spoiler (to reveal a key part of the plot of a film or series, spoiling the surprise). Emoji, the French for an emoticon (also known as a ‘smiley’) also makes its entry as does la perche à selfie (selfie stick). Un droniste is someone who flies drones.

Perhaps reflecting the increasing interest in vegetarianism there is viandard, a somewhat insulting term for a meat eater, especially one who loves to eat it. It may also be used for a hunter who is only interested in piling up kills, without respect for natural balance.

An antispéciste is someone convinced that animals and humans should be treated with the same respect; a spéciste is the kind of person they oppose.

Those who like to live a green lifestyle may also use a lombricomposteur – a bin containing worms that break down waste.

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