BY C.S. KRISHNAMURTHY 

 

THE world of dictionaries has long been renowned for their straightforward meanings, scholarly precision and explanations of words. However, in recent years, a new breed of online dictionaries has emerged, adding a touch of humour, and contemporary flair of a playful take on defining words. Among these, HipDict, a delightful creation of the digital age, has managed to stand out as an unconventional and entertaining lexicon. Take a look into the odd, often hilarious world of HipDict, its origin, its unique charm and its unexpected educational value. As the name suggests, it’s all about being hip – colloquialism to the ever-evolving language and culture. A crowd-sourced project, HipDict takes the conventional dictionary and gives it a witty and playful twist, sometimes downright hilarious. Take for instance, “Monday”. Traditional definition: The first day of the workweek. HipDict definition: The day that ruins your Sunday; the day that makes you appreciate your weekend. Who hasn’t felt the impending doom of Monday creeping in, casting a shadow over the weekend’s last moments? Again, we know “social media” as online platforms for sharing information and connecting with others, whereas HipDict defines it as “a place where you can pretend to have a perfect life and others can pretend to care”. HipDict understands our feelings and translates them into pithy, humorous definitions.

 

In the vast sea of dictionaries, HipDict is the road less travelled, and that’s part of the charm. It invites us to play with language, revel in the mirth of words, and to see the humour in the mundane. This playful approach struck a chord with people and rapidly gained big following. It’s a reminder that language is a living, breathing entity that should be celebrated in all its eccentricity. The platform serves as an engaging supplement to traditional language education, making it more enjoyable and memorable. It can be a refreshing tool for educators to use in the classroom to spark discussions about language. By adding humour, HipDict elevates the experience of language exploration and demonstrates how words can be continuously reimagined and enriched, making language a living and evolving entity. The brilliance lies not only in its ability to craft a laugh-out-loud experience, but also in its observations about life. “Experience” is interpreted as “the name everyone gives to their mistakes”.

 

The entry “patience”, offers this gem: “What you have when there are too many witnesses”. It’s a sly commentary on the human tendency to display patience in public, while behind closed doors it might be in short supply. “Procrastination” is “the art of keeping up with yesterday.” “Gym” becomes “a room where you pay to torture yourself”. Etc. - End of Thinking Capacity K. – Ok but with anger. We should hang out soon - It can mean anytime between next week and 5 years. While HipDict may not replace the Oxford English Dictionary anytime soon, it certainly adds a refreshing splash of humour and wisdom to our lexicon. So, the next time you crave a dose of wordplay with a side of laughter, look no further than HipDict, the unusual dictionary that’s anything but dull. A delightful deviant, it’s a platform for word buffs to share their unique perspectives! Lexicon that gives a fresh take to the English language!