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

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.