What it means:The Olympics are over – time to drag your bum off the couch, get the circulation back into your atrophied limbs, book yourself an activity holiday, and thrillax with some long-distance cycling, fell-running and free-diving. Thrillaxing is the pursuit of calm through taking part in intense physical activity. While others lie about on the beach sipping pina coladas and trying to convince everybody they're totally chilled, thrillaxers know there's nothing more relaxing than getting adrenalin going and burning off pent-up frustration built up in a sedentary working life.

Where it comes from: The benefits of an activity holiday have long been established – you come home fitter, more relaxed and better equipped to tackle the stresses of life. The success of the London Olympics has spurred lots of people to sign up for activity holidays. Tour operators in the UK say there has been a huge spike in activity holidays. The sightseeing coach has been overtaken by bicycles, and the Med cruise is being passed over in favour of sailing holidays. Adventure holiday websites are also seeing increased traffic, as holidaymakers look to keep the Olympic torch burning.

How to say it:"It's great that everyone's gone on thrillaxing holidays – we no longer have to race the Germans to put our towels on the sunbed."