10 everyday phrases that were invented by reality TV

RuPaul’s Drag Race is not only one of the most cult reality shows out there, but it’s also introduced us to an entire new dragtionary of phrases we like to pull out when we’re feeling particularly sassy. Take Ru’s signature sign-off to the queen that hasn’t made the cut and tell us you don’t use when your mate decides to abandon the house party at 10pm?

The Kardashians basically have their own language and because they’re ever-present in our lives, it feels like we’re part of their circle. This means we’ve picked up some of their most relatable phrases, namely "bible," which acts as an affirmation that what’s just been said speaks to us on a spiritual level. "North is my style icon and I want her wardrobe. Bible."

If you ever went to a pantomime as a kid (okay fine, or a 20-something-year-old) you’ll be familiar with the old cream-pie-in-the-face hilarity. Love Island brought this concept right up to date by applying the word "pied" to that familiar dating scenario - when you've just broken up with someone during a DMC on the sun loungers. IRL, to be used when you've been ghosted on Tinder for longer than 48 hours.

Cast your mind back to Mary Berry and her sympathetic twinkly eyes as she tells a crestfallen baker that their lovingly crafted pastry replica of a significant life moment has a “soggy bottom.” The Great British Bake Off gut punch has since leaked into our everyday speech and now we’re all professional bakers casting judgement the minute we get a disappointing croissant.

It’s 1am in the club and you’re feeling pretty mortal. You scour the room looking for a partner to tash on with. You know, neck on. Thanks to Gaz - sorry, ‘The Parsnip’ - and his Geordie Shore crew we have been able to retire the grossly onomatopoeic "snog" and start talking more poetically about our end-of-the-night conquests.

The Hills is packed with repeatable phrases, but one of the most memorable has to be when a betrayed Lauren Conrad told Heidi: “I want to forgive you and I want to forget you.” No longer do we need to think of a cutting comeback of our own - just embrace Lauren’s wisdom instead.

Unfortunately we haven’t managed to nab ourself Lord Sugar-esque careers that allow us to go around telling people they're fired while jabbing a finger at them. But a common The Apprentice line that’s penetrated our brains for years is the candidates’ frequent chorus of “that was myself”. The grammar police (hey mum) might not like it but we find ourselves repeating the phrase when we’re taking credit for something we’re feeling particularly smug about.

"Melt" is one of those words that’s really done the rounds when it comes to reality TV, with Urban Dictionary dating it all the way back to 2007. That’s the year Shilpa Shetty won Celebrity Big Brother and Leon Jackson won The X Factor, so we're talking old school. The Love Islanders used it to accuse each other of being overly sentimental and soppy about the person they were hooking up with, but us? We like it as a term of endearment: "I'm a total melt for you <3."