All Of It: Episode Summary – Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word of the Year: Polarization

Hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, this episode of "All Of It" delves into Merriam-Webster's selection of "polarization" as the 2024 Word of the Year. Through an engaging conversation with Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor at large, the show explores the significance of this choice, the process behind it, and its reflection of the current cultural and political climate.

Introduction to the Episode

Alison Stewart kicks off the episode by outlining the day's topics, including tributes to the poet Nikita, discussions on Texas's abortion laws, the racial disparities in psychosis rates, and a live performance by musician Ravi Coltrane. However, the primary focus quickly shifts to Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year.

Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word of the Year: Polarization

Selection Process and Definition

At [00:04], Alison introduces the topic of the Word of the Year, highlighting significant events from 2024 that contributed to the choice, such as dramatic political rivalries and societal divisions. She then engages Peter Sokolowski to explain why "polarization" was selected.

Historical Context

At [01:55], Peter Sokolowski provides a historical overview, noting that "polarization" originated in the early 1800s as a scientific term related to light and electricity. He explains, “Polarization is a division into two sharply distinct, especially a state in which the opinions, beliefs or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum, but become concentrated at opposing extremes” ([03:10]).

Public Engagement and Data-Driven Choice

Peter emphasizes Merriam-Webster's data-driven approach, stating, “We let the public tell us the dictionary what the year was about” ([03:55]). By analyzing which words saw a significant increase in searches, Merriam-Webster identifies "polarization" as a term that captured the collective consciousness throughout the year, rather than being tied to a single event.

Importance of Dictionary Neutrality

At [05:51], Peter underscores the importance of the dictionary's neutrality: “The dictionary has to define words for everyone and for all sides” ([05:51]). This impartial stance ensures that the dictionary remains a trusted resource for understanding the evolving language.

Runner-Up Words and Listener Interactions

Demure and Its Viral Surge

At [08:51], Alison discusses "demure," a word that saw a spike in searches due to a viral video. Peter explains, “Demure was the word that sent people to the dictionary” ([09:10]), highlighting how viral trends can influence word popularity.

Other Notable Mentions:

• Unsustainable: A listener suggested "unsustainable" to describe the American political system.
• Weird: Another listener pointed out the versatile usage of "weird," prompting Peter to discuss its semantic expansion ([13:44]).
• Perimenopause: Highlighting the normalization of medical terminology in mainstream discourse ([10:27]).

Comparing with Other Dictionaries

Alison brings up Oxford English Dictionary's choice of "brain rot" and Collins Dictionary's "brat." Peter responds by explaining the different methodologies:

• Oxford: Analyzes published writing frequency.
• Collins: Often highlights culturally significant or viral terms.

He states, “We try to keep to the data, to tell the truth about words” ([18:56]), reinforcing Merriam-Webster's commitment to public usage.

Listener Suggestions and Linguistic Trends

Listeners contributed words like "vibe" and "100%," reflecting contemporary language trends. Peter discusses how words evolve and adapt to new contexts, emphasizing that Merriam-Webster continuously monitors such changes to update definitions accordingly ([25:14]).

Language Evolution and Dictionary Updates

Adding New Words and Subgenres

Peter elaborates on how Merriam-Webster identifies when a new word or compound term has reached "critical mass" for inclusion: “If the word is used frequently, then it goes into the dictionary” ([20:02]). Examples include "beach read," "true crime," and "dungeon crawler," which have been lexicalized to convey specific meanings within broader cultural contexts.

Semantic Bleaching and Word Usage

Discussing the phenomenon of semantic bleaching, Peter explains how words like "literally" lose their original meaning to serve as intensifiers, a natural progression in language evolution ([07:06]).

The Role of the Dictionary as a Public Resource

Peter concludes by reflecting on the dictionary's role in society: “It really validates all of the serious work that we do to revise and maintain the dictionary” ([27:13]). He emphasizes that the dictionary serves as a universal tool, bridging diverse perspectives and facilitating effective communication.

Conclusion

Alison wraps up the segment by reiterating the significance of "polarization" as the Word of the Year, capturing the essence of a divided society. She thanks Peter Sokolowski for his insights and encourages listeners to continue engaging with the evolving language.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Sokolowski on Polarization’s Definition: “Division into two sharply distinct, especially a state in which the opinions, beliefs or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum, but become concentrated at opposing extremes.” ([03:10])
• On Dictionary Neutrality: “The dictionary has to define words for everyone and for all sides.” ([05:51])
• On Public Choice of Words: “We let the public tell us the dictionary what the year was about.” ([03:55])
• On Semantic Bleaching: “Semantic bleaching simply means that if I tell you I literally died laughing, then literally no longer carries meaning.” ([07:06])

Takeaway: This episode of "All Of It" provides a comprehensive look into how Merriam-Webster selects its Word of the Year, illustrating the interplay between language, culture, and societal trends. Through thoughtful dialogue and listener interactions, the show highlights the dynamic nature of language and the dictionary's pivotal role in capturing and defining this evolution.