Copyright © Françoise Herrmann
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of American English has selected justice as WOTY 2018. This term topped dictionary searches, which increased 74% for this term, compared to 2017.
Indeed, justice has been at the forefront of US events in 2018. Whether it was recently during the Congressional hearings for the Supreme Court Justice vacancy, or during the many additional headline-grabbing events connected to the #Metoo movement, justice was at stake. Justice
The shortlist of potential Merriam-Webster WOTTIES is no less interesting. The following 10 words are runners-up.
- nationalism – On October 22 and 23, 2018, after the POTUS announced a rally in Texas, saying « I am a Nationalist. Nationalist. Nothing wrong with that word. Use that word. Use that word. » Merriam Webster recorded an 8000% increase in searches for the term « Nationalism ». For anyone unsure of what the word means. Merriam Webster’s definition states: “loyalty and devotion to a nation, especially exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.”
- pansexual – meaning “of, relating to, or characterized by sexual desire or attraction that is not limited to people of particular gender identity or sexual orientation". The term spiked in April 2018, after it was used in a Rolling Stone Magazine feature article about the singer Janelle Monáe (Spanos, April 2018).
- lodestar – a term that spiked early Sept. 2018, in reference to Senator McCain’s death, meaning “one that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide.” The term originally meant “a star that leads or guides (especially the North Star).”
- epiphany – with the metaphorical meaning of “having to do with the sudden perception of the essential nature or meaning of something, or an illuminating realization”. The term spiked after it appeared in the trailer of a BTS pop song Epiphany: Love yourself.
- feckless – meaning “ineffective” or “worthless”. According to Merrian-Webster, “The feck in feckless is a Scottish word meaning 'value' or 'worth'. The antonym 'feckful' meaning 'efficient' or 'effective' is used rarely." This term spiked in regards the Mexican border immigration policy that separates children from their families.
- laurel – this term spiked 3300% in May following an experiment where listeners might hear “laurel” or “yanny” depending on the frequency of the audio. The experiment was run by the New York Times (Salam & Victor, May 2018).
- pissant – this term of abuse meaning “insignificant” spiked 115,000%, after it was used as an insult in reference to the quarterback Tom Brady’s daughter.
- respect - the title of one of Aretha Franklin’s biggest hits, who died on August 16, 2018, prompting spikes in the search for the term “respect”.
- maverick - “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party." Maverick is a term that spiked after the death of Senator McCain, on August 25, 2018.
- Excelsior! – Salutation used by the Marvel Comics publisher, editor, and writer Stan Lee. The term means “higher” in Latin and is etymologically related to “excel” and “excellent”. The term spiked following Lee’s death in November 2018 (Youtube -Comic-con 2014)
References
BTS Jin - Epiphany
Me too Movement
Merriam-WEbsters Words of the year 2018
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Salam, M. & D. Victor (May 15, 2018) Yanny or Laurel: How a sound clip divided America, in the NY Times
Spanos, B. (April 26, 2018) Janelle Monae frees herself in Rolling Stone Magazine
Stan Lee saying Excelsior at Salt Lake Comic-con 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment