Collins considers "defriend" for dictionary

13 January 2009 10:48 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Collins has revealed the words to watch in 2009 and, as well as new words springing up around the economic downturn, there are a few that relate to technology.

Last year's new words (credit crunch, sub-prime and downturn) defined the financial crisis, but Collins says this year's buzz words will help set the tone for a frugal 2009.

"Recessionista" chic describes someone whose clothes reflect the economy while the downturn in the housing industry is defined as "brickor mortis".

"Staycation", as used by Sony boss Howard Stringer during his CES keynote, describes a holiday spent at home especially due to financial circumstances.

On the tech side of things, a "textism" is a word or abbreviation typically used in a text message and "defriend", to remove someone from one's list of friends on a social networking website, is tipped to enter the nation's vocab.

In addition, "social notworking" described as the practice of spending time unproductively on social networking websites especially when one should be working, is said to be a rapidly growing phrase.

The 15th edition of the Collins English gem mini dictionary is published this month, priced £4.99.

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