Language changes together with society. In the last decade, English has adopted dozens of expressions related to technology, work culture, social media, mental health, and digital behavior. Many of these words became popular because they describe experiences that previous generations did not have.
Interestingly, several of these expressions have no exact translation in other languages. Instead, they represent entire social concepts condensed into a single word or phrase.
Mobbing
Psychological harassment in the workplace, especially when a group repeatedly targets one employee.
Example:
After months of mobbing, she finally left the company.
How is mobbing different from bullying?
Quiet Quitting
Doing only the minimum required at work instead of constantly overperforming.
Example: Quiet quitting became common after the pandemic.
Is quiet quitting unhealthy disengagement or healthy boundary-setting?
Burnout
Extreme emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
Example: Burnout is becoming increasingly common among young professionals.
Why do so many workers experience burnout today?
Hustle Culture
A mentality that glorifies constant productivity, work, and ambition.
Example: Hustle culture often promotes the idea that rest is laziness.
Can ambition become toxic?
Rage Applying
Applying for many jobs impulsively after a frustrating experience at work.
Example: After the meeting, he went home and started rage applying.
Why are employees increasingly dissatisfied?
Bare Minimum Monday
A social media trend encouraging workers to reduce stress by focusing only on essential tasks on Mondays.
Example: Bare Minimum Monday became popular as a reaction against burnout.
Is this productivity management or laziness?
Micromanaging
Controlling every small detail of another person’s work excessively.
Example
Employees often become demotivated under micromanaging leadership.
What makes a good manager?
Doomscrolling
Spending excessive time online consuming negative news.
Example: Many people developed doomscrolling habits during the pandemic.
Why are negative headlines addictive?
Phubbing (Phone + snubbing)
Ignoring someone because you are focused on your phone.
Example: Phubbing has become normalized in restaurants and social gatherings.
Has technology damaged face-to-face communication?
Digital Detox
A period during which someone intentionally avoids technology and social media.
Example: She did a digital detox during her holidays.
Could you disconnect for an entire week?
FOMO
Fear Of Missing Out — anxiety caused by thinking others are having better experiences than you.
Example: Social media platforms often intensify FOMO.
Does social media increase insecurity?
Brain Rot
A slang expression describing the feeling that excessive online content is damaging your attention span or intelligence.
Example: After hours on TikTok, I feel like I have brain rot.
Are short videos affecting our brains?
Deepfake
AI-generated content designed to imitate a real person’s appearance or voice realistically.
Example: Deepfakes are becoming a major ethical concern.
Should governments regulate AI-generated media?
Echo Chamber
An environment in which people only encounter opinions similar to their own.
Example: Algorithms often create political echo chambers online.
How do echo chambers affect society?
Algorithm Anxiety
Stress caused by trying to satisfy social media algorithms in order to gain visibility.
Example: Many influencers suffer from algorithm anxiety.
Are algorithms controlling human behavior?
Third Space
A social environment that is neither home nor work, where people can relax, socialize, and feel part of a community.
Examples include cafés, gyms, bookstores, coworking spaces, clubs, and gaming communities.
Example: For many people, the gym has become a modern third space.
Why are third spaces disappearing in some cities?
CRITICAL THINKING
Do you think modern life is more stressful than life 20 years ago?
Are people today more connected or more isolated?
Which technological habit has changed society the most?
Do you think language evolves faster today than in the past?
Which social media trends concern you the most?
Which modern problem is clearly caused by technology?
Is social media creating healthier or more anxious societies?
Are algorithms controlling human behavior?
Are younger generations changing workplace culture positively or negatively?
Which workplace phenomenon is the most harmful for society?
Which of these concepts existed before but did not have a name?
Is hustle culture disappearing?
The rise of wellness ‘third spaces’
Why do people look for community outside home and work?Chunk 1 — 0:00–0:58
Listen and Answer
What is happening to the wellness industry?
a) It is declining
b) It is becoming more affordable
c) It is growing rapidly
Why are luxury gyms becoming popular?
a) People want cheaper fitness options
b) People are searching for community and connection
c) People prefer working from home
The expression “third place” refers to:
a) a vacation destination
b) a place outside home and work
c) a second job
Match the words with the meanings
booming
reassess
loneliness epidemic
a. feeling isolated
b. growing quickly
c. evaluate again
Chunk 2 — 0:58–1:50
Listen and Complete
Bathhouse and Othership are becoming popular wellness __________ in New York City.
Othership combines emotional wellness with entertainment such as dance parties, comedy and live __________.
The company also follows the __________ trend by creating alcohol-free social experiences.
Why does the speaker call the experience a “healthy way to socialize”?
What makes these places different from bars or clubs?
What emotional benefit do people experience there?
Chunk 3 — 1:50–2:50
True or False
Bathhouse expects to earn around $120 million by the end of 2026.
The company says community is something they aggressively force on customers.
Glo30 is connected to skincare services.
The CEO says the need for community has decreased in recent years.
Can businesses genuinely create community?
Why do people want connection through wellness spaces?
Chunk 4 — 2:50–End
Listen and Choose the Correct Answer
One drawback of wellness clubs is:
a) poor service
b) high prices
c) lack of popularity
Lifetime Fitness investors were initially:
a) excited
b) indifferent
c) unhappy
Why are premium wellness companies succeeding?
a) Consumers are spending less money
b) Many people are willing to pay for experiences and wellness
c) Gyms are becoming cheaper
Are wellness clubs only for wealthy people?
Do modern people need more face-to-face interaction?
What could be a cheaper “third place” in your city?
Would you rather socialize in a café, gym, sauna, or online? Why?
Listen and Answer
What is happening to the wellness industry?
a) It is declining
b) It is becoming more affordable
c) It is growing rapidly
Why are luxury gyms becoming popular?
a) People want cheaper fitness options
b) People are searching for community and connection
c) People prefer working from home
The expression “third place” refers to:
a) a vacation destination
b) a place outside home and work
c) a second job
Match the words with the meanings
booming
reassess
loneliness epidemic
a. feeling isolated
b. growing quickly
c. evaluate again
Chunk 2 — 0:58–1:50
Listen and Complete
Bathhouse and Othership are becoming popular wellness __________ in New York City.
Othership combines emotional wellness with entertainment such as dance parties, comedy and live __________.
The company also follows the __________ trend by creating alcohol-free social experiences.
Why does the speaker call the experience a “healthy way to socialize”?
What makes these places different from bars or clubs?
What emotional benefit do people experience there?
Chunk 3 — 1:50–2:50
True or False
Bathhouse expects to earn around $120 million by the end of 2026.
The company says community is something they aggressively force on customers.
Glo30 is connected to skincare services.
The CEO says the need for community has decreased in recent years.
Can businesses genuinely create community?
Why do people want connection through wellness spaces?
Chunk 4 — 2:50–End
Listen and Choose the Correct Answer
One drawback of wellness clubs is:
a) poor service
b) high prices
c) lack of popularity
Lifetime Fitness investors were initially:
a) excited
b) indifferent
c) unhappy
Why are premium wellness companies succeeding?
a) Consumers are spending less money
b) Many people are willing to pay for experiences and wellness
c) Gyms are becoming cheaper
Are wellness clubs only for wealthy people?
Do modern people need more face-to-face interaction?
What could be a cheaper “third place” in your city?
Would you rather socialize in a café, gym, sauna, or online? Why?