Many new words have entered the lexicon in the past year. As we move through the pandemic, we continue to add more and more. Some of them are globally recognised; others are very local and only understood by those with shared experiences. Here’s a selection, for posterity:

Super Spreader = someone who is highly infectious and spreads the virus to many others.

Super Spreading Event = any organised event featuring Donald Trump.

Shedder = a person who still has traces of virus weeks after testing positive.

Doughnut Day = a day when zero new cases have been reported in Victoria.

Double Doughnut Day = a day when zero new cases and zero deaths have been reported in Victoria. The best kind of day, to be celebrated by eating copious numbers of doughnuts!

Low Positive = a person who returns a vague positive test result which later turns out to be negative, who then skews the statistics and prevents us from celebrating Doughnut Days in a timely fashion.

Third Ring = the close contacts of close contacts of a confirmed case.

WhatTimeIsDan’sPresser? = the most asked question in Victoria. The day cannot commence until we’ve sat through it, hanging on every word. Premier Dan Andrews did 120 press briefings in a row, many of them lasting well over an hour, and many of them facing a hostile media. Let it be known that on October 31, he finally took a break.

North Face Jacket = the clothing item occasionally worn by Dan, perceived by many to be a portent of good or bad news.

FOGO = Fear of Going Out; a collective experience in a population that has become habituated to staying home. Accompanied by rapid blinking in sunlight.

Mask Up = the last minute instruction given to any member of a household who is about to venture outside. Also given telepathically to anyone seen in public without a mask, who is bigger than you and likely to beat you up if you said it out loud to them.

Chin Wearer = people who use their mask to keep their chin warm, rather than to cover their nose and mouth.

Covid Normal = there is NOTHING normal about Covid.