An AI ghost word is a nonsense word that has been given a nonsense definition by AI. In practice, we see that the same ghost words are given different definitions on different junk-AI websites.
Here are a few examples.
lrtsjerk
2460 results on Google (January 2024)
This was the first AI ghost word I encountered. You can find the original post, with links to all the definitions, here. A few of the definitions: “a group of online jerks”, “a leading technology solution”, “an out-of-the-box way of thinking”, “a magical land”, “a full-body workout with ancient roots”, “an app” and “a linguistic trend”.
oridzin
8480 results on Google (13 February 2024)
Most articles choose to make it a type of flavonoid.
a type of flavonoid, belonging to the class of phytonutrients known for their antioxidant properties. It is primarily found in the roots of medicinal plants like the Japanese herb H. erectus and some species of beans. Source.
a flavonoid glycoside most notably found in apple peels and other apple-based products. Source.
a term derived from the amalgamation of ‘origin’ and ‘izin,’ [that] encapsulates the fundamental elements that contribute to a website’s success in the digital realm. Source.
a craft gin from South Africa. Source.
a technological innovation influencing diverse sectors such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Source.
xatpes
2700 google results (13 February 2024)
an acronym for “eXtended Audio-Tape Preservation System,” a groundbreaking digital preservation platform designed to transfer analog audio tapes onto digital formats (source)
mysterious artifacts believed to originate from an ancient alien civilization (source)
innovative equipment (source)
a dynamic (SEO) methodology that has developed over time in response to the needs of a dynamic digital landscape (source)
bertéjas
2960 Google results (13 February 2024)
Almost all articles choose “AI translator” as their definition, eg this one, this one and this one.
a Lithuanian form of divination rooted in ancient traditions, involving the interpretation of natural phenomena for spiritual guidance. (source)
In the realm of literature, “bertėjas” captures the essence of coziness and comfort found while engrossed in a book, snug beneath a blanket. (source)
klerp
only 2 AI-ghost-word articles that I could find; interesting to note though that they get a higher ranking than e.g. academic articles about the real Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project
an advanced artificial intelligence system designed to navigate and comprehend vast amounts of data (source)
a powerful enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that has revolutionized the way businesses manage their operations (source)
So many more….
I created this list by scrolling through the kinds of websites that host these kinds of articles until I found a term that seemed nonsensical to me. Then I Googled it to make sure.
There are many more AI Ghost Words. I listed these above because I wanted to make the point that my first AI ghost word, “lrtsjerk” is not just a one-off fluke.
Heddwen Newton is an English teacher and translator. She is fascinated by contemporary English and the way English changes. Her newsletter is English in Progress. 1100 subscribers and growing every day!
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Picture credit: flickr.com/photos/possan