'NERDIC' IS FASTEST-GROWING LANGUAGE

It is claimed that more than 100 new words were added to the 'Nerdic' vocabulary in the past 12 months — more than three times the number the Oxford English Dictionary added to the English language.

Researchers reckon it might be the next Esperanto. Remember Esperanto? The language designed to be a second "international" language for everyone never really took off.

So what is it? It's a catchy name for all that techno jargon that has bubbled up with the internet and which although once the preserve of internet boffins in their bedrooms, has now trickled down to ordinary tech-loving folk.

Stuart Miles, the editor of gadget website Pocket-Lint.co.uk, said: "Technology has revolutionised the way we speak. With so many words and phrases being created all the time it's created a whole new way of communicating.

"Everyone knows what it means to Google something, and technology is moving at such a rapid pace these days that there are more and more new words coming into the English language.

"Fifty years ago development was much slower and TVs were just a square box in the corner of the room, but now there's new technology every couple of months."

He added: "If you're really into technology like me, it is actually possible to have an entire conversation in Nerdic, although not everyone else would be able to understand it."

Words created to describe technological breakthroughs can transcend other languages, the research found.

For example, the word 'internet' is understood and used throughout the world, even in non-English speaking countries.

In France, the translation of internet is 'toile d'araignee mondiale' - but most people still refer to the internet.

Top 10 nerdic words and phrases for 2008 (From Pixmania.com)

1. Wimax - Supersized Wi-Fi will give whole cities internet coverage, Milton Keynes already has it.

2. RickRoll - To intentionally misdirect internet users to a video of Never Gonna Give You Up by 80s one-hit-wonder Rick Astley.

3. UGC (user generated content) - The buzz word in the internet right now. Flickr, Facebook and YouTube all rely on the reader generating content on the sites.

4. Mashup - Take two or more really interesting elements from different websites or applications and make them into one - think Google Maps with an overlay of where you can buy clown outfits from.

5. RFID - Radio-frequency identification (RFID) will allow you to track your packages around the world or let you know how your bananas have travelled to you.

6. Android - Think iPhone but with a slightly different interface on phones from Samsung to HTC and with the ability for anyone to make applications for it.

7. HDMI - The new Scart lead allows you to connect High-Def devices together, like your TV to your new Blu-ray player.

8. Fuel-cell - Green water powered battery for everything from cars to laptops that will boost your gadget's life considerably over standard batteries.

9. HSDPA - The next step up from 3G on mobile phones. Makes accessing the internet on your mobile just as fast if not faster than your broadband connection at home.

10. DVB-H - Newly announced Mobile TV standard for Europe that allows you to watch TV on your mobile on the go.

N.B. 'Doorstop': a computer no longer considered fast enough and only useful for keeping doors open.

(Telegraph and other sources)