Woke Word of the Day – November 26, 2025 Edition
Because language is apparently a living document that files for asylum every week—and today’s entry is brought to you by the letter “F” for “Faux Pas.
“Fambush
Fresh off the Cambridge Dictionary’s “New Words” alert like a surprise party no one invited, “fambush” is that oh-so-enlightened portmanteau of “family” and “ambush,” describing when your nearest and dearest launch a full-frontal assault of unsolicited advice, passive-aggressive shade, or “helpful” interventions during what was supposed to be a chill holiday catch-up. Think Aunt Karen cornering you at Thanksgiving with a 20-slide PowerPoint on why your pronouns are “problematic” and your carbon footprint is “literally violence,” all while passing the green bean casserole laced with judgment. Origins? This gem slithered into the lexicon around mid-2025, courtesy of Gen Z’s TikTok therapists and millennial burnout memoirs, evolving from the ancient art of family feuds but rebranded for the therapy-speak era. It’s the woke upgrade to “dysfunctional dinner”—now with extra emotional labor and a side of boundary-setting worksheets. Because nothing says “progress” like turning your bloodline’s baggage into a buzzword that makes you nod sagely while plotting your next solo vacation. Pro tip: Next time it happens, just yell “Fambush!” and run—it’s either a shield or a spell, depending on how deep your therapy co-pay goes.
Fresh off the Cambridge Dictionary’s “New Words” alert like a surprise party no one invited, “fambush” is that oh-so-enlightened portmanteau of “family” and “ambush,” describing when your nearest and dearest launch a full-frontal assault of unsolicited advice, passive-aggressive shade, or “helpful” interventions during what was supposed to be a chill holiday catch-up. Think Aunt Karen cornering you at Thanksgiving with a 20-slide PowerPoint on why your pronouns are “problematic” and your carbon footprint is “literally violence,” all while passing the green bean casserole laced with judgment. Origins? This gem slithered into the lexicon around mid-2025, courtesy of Gen Z’s TikTok therapists and millennial burnout memoirs, evolving from the ancient art of family feuds but rebranded for the therapy-speak era. It’s the woke upgrade to “dysfunctional dinner”—now with extra emotional labor and a side of boundary-setting worksheets. Because nothing says “progress” like turning your bloodline’s baggage into a buzzword that makes you nod sagely while plotting your next solo vacation. Pro tip: Next time it happens, just yell “Fambush!” and run—it’s either a shield or a spell, depending on how deep your therapy co-pay goes.
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