Shrinkflation… sounds like a new diet craze, doesn’t it?

I wish it were. But sadly, it has nothing to do with losing weight—at least not around our waistlines.

It’s a phenomenon that affects us all and takes even more money out of our pockets.

Over the years, we’ve seen a rise in costs for many of our favourite products. We accept these price increases because we can see them directly and because inflation is something we understand (More demand than supply = higher prices).

But what about the hidden price increases?

You might have noticed that the package of many products are getting smaller. This is our not-so-friendly pal—shrinkflation. It hides behind ever-shrinking chocolate bars and crisp packages while keeping the price the same.

The sneaky plan behind it is to make us think prices are stable—while in reality, everything is getting more expensive.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Well, having fewer sweets is good for my health,” that’s true in a way. But when we think about it—does this also apply to other daily necessities like laundry detergent, toothpaste or toilet paper?

So how can we fight this sneaky trick?

It starts by becoming aware of the phenomenon of shrinkflation and paying attention. Have the products really become smaller or is that just an illusion?

Even though shrinkflation sounds like a funny word, it’s a serious matter. Because the more we know about these tactics, the better we can respond as consumers.

Which products have you noticed lately where there was a hidden price increase? Let’s uncover the secrets of shrinkflation together!

Let’s look at two more words that are a bit tricky to translate.

First up is “crush.”

No, it’s not the sound of a can being crushed. A “crush” is that fluttery feeling for someone special. Those secret tugs at the heart.

Remember your first school crush? Exactly. That’s the kind of “crush” we’re talking about.

The closest German word is “Schwarm”.

Now let’s look at the 🤦‍♀️ emoji, also known as a “facepalm.”

It symbolises the frustration and despair we feel when something absolutely absurd or embarrassing happens. Have you ever felt like giving a facepalm? You’re not alone. 

The closest translation is probably “Frustgeste”.

These untranslatable words sure add some fun and colour to our language, don’t they?

If you’ve got any favourite untranslatable words, feel free to share them with me.

Attention, fashion update: The fashion industry has experienced a revolution. 

Can you believe it? “Zoom shirt” has officially made it into the Macmillan Dictionary. 

We turned our homes into office spaces during the lockdown. Our comfy tracksuit bottoms* became our new 9-to-5 uniform.

But what do we wear on top? Nobody wants to appear in a video meeting with an unironed T-shirt, do they? 

This is where the “Zoom shirt” comes in.

The term refers to the shirt or blouse kept within arm’s reach—perfect for slipping on quickly when it’s time to jump on an impromptu video call or virtual hangout.

The special thing about this piece of clothing? It looks professional on camera, and we can still wear our comfortable tracksuit bottoms on the lower part of our body.

Perhaps you’re thinking: What a crazy world! But hey, who would have thought that we would have to wear masks one day? Or that yeast and toilet paper could once be so coveted? The point is, these times demand adaptability from all of us—even with what we wear.

Whether you are fans of comfortable clothing or rather traditional advocates of suits—there is no denying that the “Zoom shirt” trend says a lot about how our working lives have changed due to the pandemic.

Do I find that good or bad? That’s not the question. It’s just the way it is and we’re making the best of it.

I’d love to know: Do you have a “Zoom shirt” within arm’s reach? 

PS I don’t have a Zoom blouse near my computer, but I do have a basket with different scarves and necklaces to brighten up my appearance when working online.

*sweatpants in American English

You’ve probably heard that ‘very’ does little to enhance a sentence. It makes our writing sound repetitive and dull. 

In “Dead Poets Society,” N.H. Kleinbaum advises us to “avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted.“

And Mark Twain suggests: “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’.“ 

Why? This wordplay stimulates creativity, injecting dynamism into our text and refocusing on the core message. Like a good picture, the focus should be on the essence, with everything else complementing the composition. 

In the vast sea of daily content, standing out is crucial. Creative writing techniques help us shine. 

But Twain’s advice isn’t limited to the word “very;” it also applies to other “filler words.”

So let’s banish them to improve the quality of our writing and to please our editor (or our internal proofreader).

Twain explains: “Your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”

In other words: let’s cut the dead weight and let our text’s essence shine through. 

But enough theorising! Who’s up for an experiment? Let’s try omitting  or replacing “very” in our social media posts for a week.

PS I’ve never seen myself as a good writer. But I’m learning to enjoy writing while battling fluff words like “very.” I wrote this for myself, but I hope you find it useful, too.

Today is a special day.

No, I didn’t land a new job. And I didn’t win the lottery. Instead, I’ve unlocked the ultimate key to domestic bliss: I’m the only one at home.

“Ich habe sturmfrei”!

But how do I convey this quasi-magical experience to the English-speaking world? 

After extensive research and some humorous translation attempts (including “I have free storm“), I found out that it’s actually quite simple: “I have the place to myself”.  Yes, that’s right—my home is mine and mine alone today.

This may sound less spectacular than our German expression “sturmfrei“, but it actually hits the nail on the head: Enjoying private space without disturbances, interruptions or unwanted visitors. It conveys the exact image of freedom and independence that we associate with “sturmfrei“.

And as we say, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

So, I’m indulging in a little bit of mischief. I’m dancing in the living room, singing at the top of my lungs, and making questionable food choices. It’s as if I’m a child again, minus the sticky fingers and endless energy.

I know this won’t last forever, but for now, I’m relishing the solitude and the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want. 

It’s a cat’s life, and it’s pretty good.

And if you also have the house to yourself right now—enjoy it!