"The Annual Word"

Every year, The Oxford English Dictionary will announce the word of the year. 2018 is coming to an end. Do you want to know the Oxford English Dictionary’s word of 2018?

The Oxford Word of the Year is a word or expression to reflect the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year, and have lasting potential as a term of cultural significance.

The Oxford Dictionaries’ Word of the Year is … toxic.

The adjective "toxic" means “poisonous” and first appeared in English in the 1650s. It came from the Greek term toxon, meaning “bow”. In ancient Greece, fighters with bows would put poison on the points of their arrows.

In 2018, toxic is used in topics and events. For example, the “Me-too movement” put the spotlight on toxic masculinity. 

There are some collocations beside toxic masculinity:

1. Toxic Chemical

2. Toxic Masculinity

3. Toxic Substance

4. Toxic Gas

5. Toxic Environment

6. Toxic Relationship

7. Toxic Culture

8. Toxic Waste

9. Toxic Algae

10. Toxic Air

“It is the sheer scope of its application, as found by our research, which made toxic the stand-out choice for the Word of the Year title.” (From Oxford Words blog)

Eight other words made Oxford’s shortlist:

Gaslighting: The action of manipulating someone by psychological means into accepting a false depiction of reality or doubting their own sanity.

Incel: An incel is a member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually. Typically, they hold views that are hostile towards men and women who are sexually active.

Gammon: Typically used in the UK as a derogatory term for an older middle-class white man whose face becomes flushed due to anger when expressing political (typically right-wing) opinions.

Techlash: A strong and widespread negative reaction to the growing power and influence of large technology companies, particularly those based in Silicon Valley.

Big Dick Energy (BDE): An attitude of understated and casual confidence.

Cakeism: Primarily a word used in the UK, cakeism is the belief that it is possible to enjoy or take advantage of both of two desirables but mutually exclusive alternatives at once.

Overtourism: An excessive number of tourist visits to a popular destination or attraction, resulting in damage to the local environment and historical sites and in poorer quality of life for residents.

Orbiting: Orbiting is the action of abruptly withdrawing from direct communication with someone while still monitoring, and sometimes responding to, their activity on social media.

Click "Read more" to Oxford Dictionary website for more details.

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