English Gets a New Verb: “to Meghan Markle”

The Duchess of Sussex has made it into the dictionaries.

Meghan Markle, wife of Prince Harry, has become the subject of a new word, reports The Guardian.

Thanks to the 38-year-old American, a new verb, “to Meghan Markle” (meganmarklit), has been added to the dictionary. It can be used to mean “to leave a room, environment or setting where you are not welcomed, because you value yourself and your mental health.” 

The Guardian gives several examples of how the neologism can be used.

“I totally Meghan Markled my ex last night and never returned his texts” (“I totally meganmarkled my ex last night and never answered her messages”).

“I’m considering Meghan Markling: they haven’t given me a raise in two years, and I’d have better options working as an Instagram influencer than staying in this loveless work marriage” (“I’m thinking about meganmarkling: I haven’t been given a raise in the last two years, so it’s better to work as an Instagram influencer than to stay in these working relationships”).

The emergence of this verb is linked to the decision of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to step down from their status as senior members of the British royal family and the associated privileges.

On January 8, it became known that Harry and Meghan had decided to become financially independent and to live in two countries — in Britain and the United States.