The Year in Words: A Decade-by-Decade Journey Through the Oxford Word of the Year
Hello there, word enthusiasts! Today, we're going on a linguistic journey through time, exploring the Oxford Word of the Year by year. So, grab your dictionaries and let's dive right in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and word of the year by year.
The 2010s: A Decade of Change and Awareness
2010: App
Kicking off the 2010s, the Oxford Word of the Year was none other than app. Short for 'application', this term skyrocketed in popularity with the rise of smartphones and mobile apps. It wasn't just about games and social media; apps were transforming how we communicated, worked, and even ordered food. App was a clear reflection of the digital revolution that was reshaping our world.
2011: Phenomenon
In 2011, the Oxford Word of the Year was phenomenon. This choice was influenced by the Arab Spring, the Japanese tsunami, and the London riots. These global events were so significant and far-reaching that they truly deserved the title of 'phenomena'. It was a reminder that while technology was advancing rapidly, real-world events were still shaping our language and culture.
2012: Omnishambles
Omnishambles was the Oxford Word of the Year in 2012, a term coined by the British political satire show, The Thick of It. It refers to a situation that has been thoroughly mismanaged or has gone wrong. This word's popularity was a reflection of the political climate and the widespread feeling of frustration and disillusionment.
2013: Selfie
The selfie took the world by storm in 2013, and it was only fitting that it became the Oxford Word of the Year. This term, once niche, had become a global phenomenon, thanks in part to celebrities and social media. It was a clear sign that the age of the selfie stick was upon us.
2014: Vape
As e-cigarettes gained popularity, so did the verb vape. This term, which means to inhale and exhale the vapor produced by an e-cigarette, was a clear indicator of the cultural shift around smoking and nicotine consumption.
2015: The Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year is...?
In a twist of fate, 2015 saw the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year being... no word at all. Instead, it was the 'facepalm' emoji. This choice reflected the rise of visual communication and the role of emojis in modern language.
2016: Post-Truth
The political climate of 2016 led to the rise of the term post-truth. This adjective refers to circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. It was a stark reminder of the changing nature of political discourse and the role of truth in society.
2017: Youthquake
The resurgence of the term youthquake in 2017 was a reflection of the political awakening of young people around the world. This term, coined in the 1960s, refers to a cultural influence or movement driven by young people. Its re-emergence was a sign that the youth were ready to make their voices heard.
2018: Toxic
In 2018, the Oxford Word of the Year was toxic. This choice was influenced by the #MeToo movement and wider concerns about power imbalances and abuse. It was a reflection of our collective awareness of toxic behavior and our desire for change.
2019: Climate Action
As climate change became an increasingly urgent issue, climate action became the Oxford Word of the Year. This term reflects the global effort to combat climate change and the rising tide of activism around this issue.
The 2000s: A New Millennium of Language
2000: Dot-com
Kicking off the new millennium, the Oxford Word of the Year was dot-com. This term, short for 'dot-commer', referred to the booming internet industry of the late 1990s and early 2000s. It was a sign that the digital age was truly upon us.
2001: 9/11
The tragic events of September 11, 2001, led to the Oxford Word of the Year being 9/11. This numeric reference to the date became a shorthand for the terrorist attacks and their aftermath.
2002: Crunk
In 2002, the Oxford Word of the Year was crunk, a term coined by Lil Jon to describe a style of music and dance. It was a reflection of the influence of hip-hop and rap culture on mainstream music.
2003: Wee
The Oxford Word of the Year in 2003 was wee, as in 'wee hours of the morning'. This choice was influenced by the Iraq War, which was often discussed in relation to the 'wee hours' when military actions took place.
2004: Penguin
The term penguin became the Oxford Word of the Year in 2004, thanks to the success of the film March of the Penguins. This documentary about emperor penguins in Antarctica sparked a global interest in these birds, leading to a surge in the use of the term 'penguin'.
2005: Metaverse
Before it was a buzzword for virtual reality, metaverse was the Oxford Word of the Year in 2005. This term, coined by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash, refers to a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of physically persistent virtual worlds, augmented reality, and the internet.
2006: Carbon Neutral
As climate change became an increasingly pressing issue, carbon neutral became the Oxford Word of the Year in 2006. This term refers to the achievement of net-zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset.
2007: Credit Crunch
The 2007 financial crisis led to the Oxford Word of the Year being credit crunch. This term refers to a reduction in the availability of credit, typically as a result of a change in the views of lenders or investors.
2008: Simples
In 2008, the Oxford Word of the Year was simples. This term gained popularity thanks to a series of television advertisements for a price comparison website, which used the phrase to describe something that was very easy.
2009: Unfriend
The rise of social media led to the Oxford Word of the Year in 2009 being unfriend. This term refers to the act of removing someone as a friend on a social networking site, often due to something they have posted.
Well, there you have it, folks! A whistle-stop tour through the Oxford Word of the Year by year. It's fascinating to see how our language has evolved and changed over the past two decades, reflecting the cultural, political, and technological shifts of our time. Until next time, keep your dictionaries at the ready and your ears open for the next big word!