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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Explore local slang, compound words, and public labels—and learn why unfamiliar terms need context.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis year-end feature presents words and expressions reported in different parts of the world in 2023. Examples include Australian slang such as “cozzie livs,” a playful label like “murder noodle,” “password child,” the Japanese word “zei” for taxes, and the English label “nones” for people who select no religious affiliation. The source also discusses culturally and politically sensitive phrases; this guide focuses on how local terms gain meaning, not on endorsing the events or labels.
Cultural note: These examples are tied to a December 2023 report and specific local contexts; they are not universal English vocabulary or necessarily current slang. “Murder noodle” is playful internet language, “password child” can sound judgmental, and “nones” is an identity label best used carefully. The article’s descriptions of conflict-related terms should be read as period-specific reporting, not neutral everyday language.
Keep exploringA new word can reveal what a community is talking about—but a phrase may not travel well beyond its original context. Ask where a term comes from before you repeat it.
Phrase guide · 6 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Recognize informal expressions that may be limited to a place or community.
Meaning
Australian informal slang for the cost-of-living situation.
Tone & use
A local, playful shortening of “cost of living,” reported in Australian English. It may not be understood outside that context.
Example
“The article says some Australians use “cozzie livs” when talking informally about rising everyday expenses.”
Meaning
A humorous internet nickname for a snake.
Tone & use
Playful slang, not a scientific name. It can sound flippant in serious safety or wildlife information.
Example
“A social-media post called the harmless garden snake a “murder noodle,” but the park guide used its proper species name.”
Notice how two familiar words combine to create a new label.
Meaning
A child described as favored because their name appears in a parent’s passwords.
Tone & use
A reported Australian expression from the 2023 article. It can sound accusatory, so avoid using it as a factual claim about a family.
Example
“The article introduced “password child” as a new label, but it should not be used to assume how a parent treats their children.”
Meaning
A word selected by a publisher or organization as especially notable during a particular year.
Tone & use
Different dictionaries and groups may choose different words using different criteria; it is not a single official title.
Example
“Several dictionaries announced a word of the year, each highlighting a different trend in language.”
Use labels for people carefully and explain the context in which they appear.
Meaning
A label for people who select “none” when asked about religious affiliation.
Tone & use
Used in reporting and demographic discussion. Because it describes people’s identities, use it respectfully and avoid treating a diverse group as having one belief.
Example
“The survey reported a rise in respondents who chose “none” for religious affiliation, sometimes called “the nones.””
Meaning
The Japanese word for “taxes,” selected as a prominent word in Japan’s 2023 word-of-the-year event.
Tone & use
A Japanese term, not an English idiom. Keep its language and year attached when discussing it.
Example
“A language report noted that “zei,” meaning taxes, represented a major public topic in Japan in 2023.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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