LONDON, Nov 3 ― Topping a list of ten that includes “mic drop,” “hygge” and “sharenting,” the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union has produced a word which is “arguably politics' most important contribution to the English language in over 40 years.”
Dictionary publisher Collins has noted an “unprecedented upsurge” in usage of the word “Brexit” in 2016, prompting it to pronounce it Word of the Year for 2016.
“'Brexit' is arguably politics' most important contribution to the English language in over 40 years, since the Watergate scandal gave commentators and comedians the suffix ‘-gate' to make any incident or scandal infinitely more compelling,” said Helen Newstead, Collins' head of language content. “'Brexit' is proving even more useful and adaptable.”
Also included in Collins's ten-word roundup are “Mic drop” ― a theatrical gesture in which a person drops (or imitates the action of dropping) a hand-held microphone to the ground ― as well as “hygge,” a concept of Danish origination relating to a form of cosiness rooted in community and tradition.
“Sharenting” refers to the habitual use of social media to share news, images and media of one's children, Collins said. Meanwhile “FOMO” ― fear of missing out ― has now led to 2016's “JOMO” or “joy of missing out.”
For a full list and definitions, see collinsdictionary.com/word-lovers-blog. ― AFP-Relaxnews
