What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Oxford University Press recently unveiled shortlisted words contending for the coveted Word of the Year title.
NEW DELHI: Oxford University Press recently unveiled shortlisted words contending for the coveted Word of the Year title, after an exhaustive analysis of a 22-billion-word language corpus, offering insights into the societal shifts and trends characterising the year 2023.
A standout term among the shortlisted words is “Situationship,” widely adopted by the Generation-Z (more popularly known as the Gen-Z) to describe their relationships. As per the Oxford Dictionary, a situationship refers to a romantic or sexual involvement “lacking formal or established status”, emblematic of evolving contemporary connection dynamics.
The term first surfaced in the Urban Dictionary in 2006, defining it as a problematic relationship marked by unresolved conflicts, often confused with dating. While later interpretations softened the negativity, the term continued to describe intricate relationships hovering between friendship and committed romance.
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Initially defined as ‘obscure’, ‘Situationships’ gained prominence in the mid-2010s. In subsequent years, mainstream publications expanded their recognition.
Another noteworthy word is “Swiftie,” widely embraced on the internet and adopted by Taylor Swift fans to identify themselves with the renowned singer. An intriguing addition to the list is “beige flag,” a noun symbolising a partner’s trait indicating a lack of originality or a certain dullness—traits that are defining yet neither distinctly positive nor negative.
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Also making a significant impact on the shortlist is “de-influencing,” representing the act of dissuading people from specific product purchases or advocating reduced consumption, especially concerning social media consumption.
