Talk About Toxic!
New Terms for Toxic People and Their Conversations
The term toxic people has become so popular, it's used in news articles across the world.
If you've somehow escaped hearing about toxic people, it refers to those who poison others' moods and self-esteem with their energy-sucking negativity.
To help identity toxic people and their conversations (and to bring some humor to this noxious subject), The Year in Words absorbed the names of conventional toxins and poisons, and spit out the new terms below.
Here's a little taste of who and what to avoid:
Funguycide™ (FUN-gie-side)
A person who kills or limits the personal growth of a "fun guy."
Not related to the fungicide that the guy may use on his athlete's foot.
Strictwhine™ (STRICT-whine)
A conversation strictly for the purposes of whining. May cause the listener to hunch over in pain. Compare to strictnine, which can cause a poisoning victim's back to arch.
Muster Gasp™ (MUSS-ter gasp)
When someone musters a gasp at a new idea that they hope will die. A toxic tactic that usually works within 12 hours. More of a drama queen maneuver than anything to do with the use of real mustard gas.
Artcynic™ (ART-SIN-ick)

A killer of the artistic spirit, who views art as selfish and valueless. Compare to the even more awful arsenic, which could kill the humans who create art.
Botalks™ (BOH-toks)
Deathly boring conversations about Botox. Can put anyone's face in danger of wrinkles, due to movement. Or lead to venomous accounts of recent injections appearing in a gossip rag.
(Photo Credits (top to bottom): Poison Ivy from the film "Batman & Robin," Sodahead, Talking True Blue)
©2010 The Year in Words