One of my colleagues at The Spectator Australia, Kerry Wakefield, recently alerted me to a new word.
Here’s what Kerry wrote: ‘Hi Kel, FYI, recently discovered the verb “snerdle” for a long-cherished activity, well-practised but only recently named!’
So, Kerry told me the word, but not what it meant, so I had to go hunting.
According to the Urban Dictionary this word ‘snerdle’ means ‘to cuddle with, rub faces and noses with, and generally make a fuss over your pets.’
Which reminds of a TV commercial I have (vaguely) seen over the past few months.
In the ad a young woman is sitting on a park bench when her dog jumps up and she does exactly this—rub faces, cuddles and the rest.
(Mind you, I have no idea was the commercial was advertising, so perhaps it didn’t work for me!)
The Urban Dictionary says this meaning for ‘snerdle’ dates back to around 2008.
However (you knew there was a ‘however’ coming, didn’t you? Yes, the world of language is full of uncertainties) however, there also appears to be a Yorkshire dialect verb ‘to snerdle’ which has a related, but broader meaning—namely: ‘to nestle closely, wrap up comfortably in bed, or go off to sleep snugly.’
This verb is used to describe snuggling or getting cozy, often in bed, and can apply to children, pets, or anyone seeking comfort.
So far, ‘snerdle’ is found in none of the major dictionaries, but the Collins Dictionary has it in its special list of ‘new word suggestions’—words that have been nominated for inclusion in the big book but have not yet produced enough evidence to warrant their inclusion.
They say this word was submitted for consideration in November 2025 (which fits in with Kerry’s ‘recently coined’ comment.)
The Collins boffins say that in their view ‘snerdle’ means ‘to wrap up snugly beneath the covers.’
Then they give an example of the word being used in a sentence that is slightly different: ‘The kittens snerdle together on the windowsill, peering at the snowfall.’ (Well, not all that different, I grant you.)
So, is ‘snerdle’ a word you will be adding to your (already vast) vocabulary any time soon?
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