Deborah Baker
A new book examines the rise of the 'alt-right' in the US and its impact on the country's politics
An excerpt from 'Charlottesville: A Story of Rage and Resistance', by Deborah Baker.
Deborah Baker
· 29 minutes ago
What the English poet Louis MacNeice saw and felt when he travelled to newly independent India
An excerpt from Deborah Baker's 'The Last Englishmen', in which love, Mount Everest and the end of the British Empire in India are intertwined.
Deborah Baker
· Aug 30, 2018 · 08:30 am
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Not just delulu and skibidi, Cambridge Dictionary added 6000+ new words including lewk and tradwife: Check full list here
English just got a Gen Z glow-up. The Cambridge Dictionary has confirmed the addition of 6,212 new words, and the lineup is looking less Shakespeare and more TikTok timeline. Among the star entries: skibidi, a nonsense term born out of the viral YouTube series 'Skibidi Toilet,' that can mean 'cool,' 'bad,' or literally nothing at all. English, but make it genZ by adding skibidi, delulu and more It is now stamped into linguistic history, largely thanks to Gen Alpha kids (yes, that is also a new dictionary entry) who cannot stop saying it. If you have been on stan Twitter, Instagram or anywhere fandom energy thrives, you already know the term delulu. It is shorthand for delusional, but with a playful twist – used to describe someone who is fully living in their own fantasy world. Think 'He definitely likes me back, I just know it' energy. Now, Cambridge has given it official legitimacy. lmfao I can't believe this they've just announced they're adding the word 'skibidi' to the official Cambridge Dictionary 😭 what timeline is this??? Tradwife discourse hits the dictionary One of the most controversial additions is tradwife. Short for traditional wife, it describes women who post online about homemaking, child care, and a throwback approach to gender roles. Popularised by influencers like Hannah Neeleman of @ballerinafarm, the term has fuelled endless debates on whether it is empowering or regressive. Either way, it is now carved into the dictionary for good. If you think more colleagues would benefit from knowing this word, vote for it to be added to the Cambridge Dictionary: #CambridgeDictionary Serving a full lewk Fashion lovers, rejoice, lewk has also made the cut. A playful remix of look, it is used to describe a bold, distinctive outfit that makes heads turn. Whether it is a red carpet ensemble or just the fit you wore to brunch, the dictionary now agrees: it is officially a lewk. A frequently used queer slang word has just been added to the Cambridge more: Beyond the viral vibes Other additions show how internet culture is bleeding into everyday language. There is broligarchy (referring to powerful tech bros like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos), inspo (short for inspiration), and even anime's isekai, which recently made its way into rival dictionaries too. Cambridge's lexical manager Colin McIntosh explained that these inclusions are not random – the team only adds words they believe will stick around. In his words, the rise of slang like skibidi and delulu proves internet culture is actively reshaping how we use English. The dictionary glow-up Whether you find them ridiculous or relatable, the reality is simple: today's memes are tomorrow's definitions. Dictionaries are no longer just homes for dusty old words; they are living records of our chaos-filled, scroll-obsessed world. And with entries like delulu and skibidi in the mix, English has officially entered its main character era.
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Indian comedy's global debut? Zakir Khan may have just set the stage
Hum chhoti jagah se hai, par sapne bade hain!Back in 2019, I discovered Zakir Khan - a name that instantly felt soft, almost poetic, because we had already heard of one celebrated Zakir - the revered tabla player. But it wasn't just the name that stayed with me. It was his shayaris, those raw, no-filter stories, that hit differently. At first, I brushed him off as just another stand-up comic, maybe escaping a failed engineering or law career. But then came that style, the perfect mix of humour and heartbreak, the way he spun his poetry and honestly, wahan main pighal gayi!advertisementFast-forward a few years, the same Zakir Khan - the self-proclaimed sakht launda with a broken heart and a sly smile - walked onto the iconic stage of Madison Square Garden in New York, and made history. August 18, 2025 wasn't just another night in New York, it was a vibe Khan at Madison Square GardenThe Indore-based 37-year-old filled the arena with laughter. Not in English, not in some watered-down global tongue, but in unapologetic Hindi - the same Hindi that's had audiences cackling in Delhi, Mumbai, and every corner of YouTube India. And the wildest part was that thousands laughed (probably holding their hearts) along, right in the middle of a lot of them, it might've felt like history was shifting right in front of their eyes. Think about it: Madison Square Garden - the same stage that hosted The Beatles, Beyonce, Muhammad Ali - now had one of India's finest comics, weaving tales of heartbreak, unrequited love, awkward encounters, and everyday night wasn't just Khan's personal victory, it felt like a win for Indian stand-up itself; almost like planting a big, bright tiranga right on the global Khan's Madison Square Garden performance means for Indian comedyKhan didn't appear out of nowhere. Indian comedians have been testing the international waters for years. Vir Das, perhaps the most globally recognised among them, has been the torch-bearer for quite some time, mixing sharp political satire with some tours across the US and the UK, Netflix specials, and even International Emmy nods, Das is living proof that an Indian comic can own the global stage without compromising on their storytelling just him, comics like Kenny Sebastian, Atul Khatri, Neeti Palta, and Rahul Dua, among others, have been cracking up diaspora audiences in clubs abroad, often dropping tiny cultural footnotes to help outsiders (non-Indians) "get the joke."But then came Zakir, who flipped the script with no footnotes. The Indore-based performed with the same nostalgia-drenched, middle-class stories he tells back in India and it worked. The crowd at MSG vibed with it, bowed down to him and gave a standing ovation - creating the moment that Khan often jokes about. Comedy's Bollywood momentIt's hard not to compare this to how Bollywood carved its spot on the global map. Our cinema never begged the West to 'get it.' It didn't water itself down for their taste. It went full throttle - melodrama, over-the-top songs, dance, glitter, the whole package - until the world leaned in and fell for it on our Hindi comedy seems to have the same vibe. It's travelling, unapologetically - and without American or British comics might thrive on dry irony, Indian comics shine through storytelling, the local humour - offering the scent of home, a familiar sound - loved and bittersweet heartbreak sagas, Anubhav Singh Bassi's law-school chaos, Aditi Mittal's no-nonsense feminist humour, Biswa Kalyan Rath's geeky breakdowns; they're distinct, rooted, and, most importantly, thanks to streaming platforms, YouTube clips, and viral Instagram Reels, a joke cracked in Bengaluru can make someone laugh in Berlin within minutes. Borders? What borders? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)What makes Indian comedy clickThere's a thing about Indian stand-up comedy that stands out. It is not just about "being funny" - it thrives on relatability. Comedy in India is about shared memories, the awkwardness, heartbreaks, middle-class quirks and emotions that don't really need any here, Zakir Khan's genius is in making you relive your own heartbreak like a joke from the past, a lived experience that shaped your essence. The comedian has a penchant for making you feel at ease with who you were, and the things you did, the silliness of it all. If you look at it, Khan is a master at turning your awkward memories into worthy punchlines for the probably, that's why people it's not just him. From Vipul Goyal's savage office-life roasts to Prashasti Singh dropping gendered truth-bombs, Abish Mathew's unapologetic chaos to Kanan Gill's deliciously dark humour - the range is comedy isn't a one-trick pony any more; it's layered, diverse, and totally passport-ready. Cracks in the glass ceilingSure, challenges remain. Comics performing in English might still find it easier to access the global circuit, while Hindi or regional comics depend on subtitles or curious audiences. And let's be real - a joke that slays in Mumbai might only get polite chuckles in Manhattan. But, Khan's stint at Madison Square Garden and the work of his fellow comedians is a strong comics speak one thing loud and clear: that the ceiling is breakable. Just as K-pop smashed global charts without switching to English, or Spanish reggaeton made the whole world groove without translation, Indian comedy too can stay 100 per cent authentic and still hit real question now? It's not if the world is ready for Indian comedy, but how soon it will become a global Khan, standing under those blinding Madison Square Garden lights, wasn't just one guy levelling up from YouTube clips to sold-out arenas. It was an art-form refusing to wait for validation. It was cultural confidence at its peak, telling the world: we'll do this on our own Bollywood was India's glittering song-and-dance hello to the world, then stand-up comedy is the unapologetic, laughing it's always about bade log, bade sheher, badi baatein.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Legend of the Female General: Watch episode 31 online; check the release date & streaming platforms for these countries
Legend of the Female General Episode 31 online: Fans of the hit C-drama Legend of the Female General can stream Episode 2316 online, August 20, 2025, at approximately 5:30 PM IST, as per the official schedule. The drama follows He Yan, who disguises herself as a man to protect her family's title and rises as a decorated soldier. Reuniting with scholar Xiao Jue, who suspects she's a spy, she faces battles, betrayals, and trials where suspicion slowly turns to trust - and love. Legend of the Female General: Release date and time for Episode 31 Episode 31 airs on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, which means viewers in different time zones can expect the release at approximately 3:00 PM GMT in the UK and 5:30 PM IST in India on the same day. It will also be available for international viewers via streaming on WeTV, iQIYI and Viki, which offers English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience. Where to Watch Legend of the Female General Episode 31 Online? Episode 31 is available to stream on WeTV and iQIYI, the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and the UK, WeTV, iQIYI and Viki continues to be the top choices for watching the series. Legend of the Female General: Plot highlights of Episode 31 Episode 31 ramps up palace intrigue as He Yan's loyalty is tested and a powerful figure must choose a side, risking the exposure of Feihong's legacy. Xiao Jue's trust, He Rufei's schemes, and sudden moves by key officials set the stage for high-stakes confrontations and shifting alliances. What's even the worst is heyan's monologue 😭😭😭"There weren't many people in the world who treated her well, and this one person, who treated her the best, absolutely couldn't die."#legendofthefemalegeneral Legend of the Female General episode 31: Spoilers Here are the spoilers for Episode 31 of the Chinese series Legend of the Female General based on the YouTube preview: Episode 31 ramps up the tension in the capital as He Yan faces escalating dangers. Having proven herself on the battlefield and edged closer to the truth, her loyalty will be tested like never before. A powerful figure must soon pick a side, and the court may finally confront the real Feihong legacy - or bury it to protect old alliances. Clues from recent episodes and trailers point toward a high-stakes showdown that could expose hidden secrets and reveal an unexpected ally. Xiao Jue's storyline also takes a pivotal turn. The episode puts his trust in He Yan under scrutiny - will he protect her from the emperor's watchful eye, or step back to gauge the scheming factions around them? His choices now carry weight for both the unfolding romance and the larger conflict. Meanwhile, He Rufei's shadow looms larger than ever, hinting at a desperate counterattack - whether through a court smear, a staged city-gate incident, or a trap masked as diplomacy. When betrayal hits, the question is: who will rise, and who will fall? The boundary between practice and peril blurs in this episode, as training exercises risk turning into real danger. An ambush or formal challenge could strike at any moment, escalating the tension in the capital. We highlight key figures - generals, scholars, and palace officials—whose sudden influence may trigger cascading consequences, setting the stage for dramatic power shifts and explosive confrontations. Legend of the Female General: Cast and Characters The Chinese drama Legend of the Female General, starring Zhou Ye and Ryan Cheng, is adapted from the popular web novel Rebirth of a Star General. FAQs 1. When will Episode 31 of Legend of the Female General be released? Answer: Legend of the Female General Episode 31 will be released on August 20, 2025, and will air at 3:00 PM GMT in the UK and 5:30 PM IST. 2. Where can I watch Episode 31 of Legend of the Female General online? Answer: Legend of the Female General Episode 31 will be available for streaming on WeTV, iQIYI and Viki, the platform offering English subtitles. 3. Does Legend of the Female General have English subtitles? Answer: Yes, Legend of the Female General is fully subtitled in English on WeTV, iQIYI and Viki, including Episode 31. 4. What is the plot of Episode 31 of Legend of the Female General? Answer: Legend of the Female General Episode 31 continues to follow He Yan who faces battles, betrayals, and trials where suspicion slowly turns to trust - and love. 5. Is Legend of the Female General available on Netflix, Viki or Viu? Answer: No, Legend of the Female General is not available on Netflix. The drama officially streams on WeTV, iQIYI and Viki.
