Every year, Oxford University Press publishes a shortlist of words that reflect the most influential events of the year globally.
With ‘Rizz’ as Oxford’s word of the year in 2023, the list has started to reflect the rising cultural significance of Gen Z vocabulary. Let’s see the shortlist of 2024.
Brain rot refers to mental deterioration, often caused by excessive consumption of trivial online content. Between 2023 and 2024, the term’s usage has increased by 250%.
This word means reserved or shy. The earliest use of this word was in 1377, referring to the calmness of the sea. Its use significantly increased after an American TikToker, Jools Lebron, used the word in a video that went viral on TikTok in August 2024.
This is the practice of setting flexible prices for a product or service, in response to changing market conditions. Coined in Sweden in 1927 and translated to English in 1929, it is most commonly used in sectors like air travel and cab-hailing apps.
This is the knowledge or traditions passed down through word of mouth. Nowadays, it is commonly used by fans to describe the lesser-known facts about fictional worlds.
This is a genre of fiction that combines romance and fantasy. Originating in 2008 in Germany, fictional pieces in this genre feature several themes including magic and supernatural, or are centrally romantic.
This refers to content produced using artificial intelligence, often considered as low-quality and inaccurate material. The use of this term has increased by 332% in 2024, referring to AI content viewed as inferior.
Thanks for reading!
See next