PHUBBING

The verb “phub”  is a combination (portmanteau) of the words “snub” (ignore someone) and “phone,” and it means to ignore someone while using a mobile phone.

 The word was invented in Australia only a few years ago as part of a publicity campaign involving the McCann advertising agency and the Macquarie Dictionary. It is now included in mainstream British online dictionaries (e.g. the Oxford, Collins and Cambridge English dictionaries).


 Examples of use:

 “Several studies have shown that phubbing makes face-to-face interactions less meaningful.”

 “After a particular experience of his own, Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, from the University of Kent, UK, decided to carry out research into the psychology of phubbing and found that it can affect relationships and mental health.”

 “Our advice for the next time you get phubbed is refreshingly simple: don’t let your rage silently bubble at boiling point while you pour yourself another glass of wine, hoping that the illuminated phone opposite you will somehow explode if you stare at it long enough. Phub them right back.”


 Photo credit: Erwin Soo