"Youthquake" Has Been Named 'Word Of The Year' And People Can't Stop Laughing
15 December 2017, 12:03
"The first time I heard the word 'youthquake' was when I read that it's the Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year."
Oxford Dictionary has announced its "word of the year" and, we're not going to lie, it's a bit of a head-scratcher. The word of the year is "youthquake" and if you've never heard this term before, you're definitely not alone.
YOUTHQUAKE is the Oxford Dictionaries #WordOfTheYear 2017. Find out more: https://t.co/BanfCMh2Gi pic.twitter.com/iIQ4ykwUwa
— Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) December 14, 2017
In their announcement, Oxford Dictionaries defined "youthquake" as "a significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people".
Their announcement went on to cite an electoral trashing of the UK Conservative party in this year's general election.
Despite this example, people just couldn't shake the fact that pretty much no one really used the word "Youthquake" this year.
The first time I heard the word 'youthquake' was when I read that it's the Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year. pic.twitter.com/fdHS2C6PdU
— Damien Owens (@OwensDamien) December 15, 2017
The only time someone has used the term #youthquake is whilst searching for what it means. pic.twitter.com/w5pLL8dd4w
— Parker (@panoparker) December 15, 2017
"Surely you've remembered the word 'youthquake'? It's such a common word" pic.twitter.com/Ci6y9qXzI0
— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) December 15, 2017
'I have never heard the word 'youthquake' before today' support group
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) December 15, 2017
Some people thought Oxford dictionary might have been trying a biiiit too hard.
“Hi. We’re Youthquake.” pic.twitter.com/TgJBvthRuQ
— Andy (@alreadytaken74) December 15, 2017
The Dictionary people: the word of 2017 is #youthquake!
— Alex Davies (@alexanderdavies) December 15, 2017
Everyone else: pic.twitter.com/N7T5cyxGGH
'Fellow kids - want to grab a #youthquake & meme our Snapchatters?' pic.twitter.com/U5G1UrwD5h
— Toby Earle Toby Earle Toby Earle Toby Earle Toby E (@TobyonTV) December 15, 2017
Youthquake, noun.
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) December 15, 2017
A normal everyday word used all the time by everyone. After using the word, you are legally required to dab.pic.twitter.com/oELHfI8PZU
For comparison, Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "feminism", a word people have definitely heard of. Dictionary.com went with "complicit" as their choice and Cambridge dictionary have chosen "populism".
There's definitely a theme of political and social awareness here but we think Oxford dictionaries were a bit wild with this one.
