Podcast Summary: English Learning for Curious Minds #587

The Curious Tradition of Words of the Year

Host: Alastair Budge
Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Alastair Budge kicks off a three-part miniseries on “words and language” by diving into the fascinating tradition of the “Word of the Year.” He discusses how major dictionaries select these words, reviews some memorable picks from the last 20 years, and explores what the words chosen for 2025 reveal about English and the culture of today. The episode is both a lesson in language evolution and a mirror of societal trends, tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners with an inquisitive mindset.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature and Evolution of Language

• Language is ever-changing: Spellings, grammar, word meanings, and vocabulary constantly evolve, especially across a language as widespread as English.
• Word of the Year: A tradition where dictionaries pick a word or expression that became significant in a given year – often a reflection of big cultural shifts or events.
  • “One of the ways in which lexicographers try to document this evolution of language is by choosing a word of the year, a word or expression in English that has been of particular cultural significance that year.” (01:39)

2. Where the Tradition Comes From

• Origin: The concept was inspired by the German “Wort des Jahres” (Word of the Year), which began in 1971.
• Adoption in English: Major dictionaries like Cambridge, Oxford, Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, and the Australian National Dictionary Centre all have their own traditions.

3. The Process: How Dictionaries Choose the Word

• Data Analysis:

  • Dictionaries analyze large databases of written and spoken English from various sources, now including social media and platforms like YouTube.

• Editorial Judgment:

  • It’s not just about frequency; editors debate the cultural significance and underlying meaning of the candidate words.

• Public Involvement:

  • Some, like Oxford, sometimes involve the public, putting shortlisted words to a vote.

• Common Themes: Politics, culture, tech, social movements, and online language often influence Word of the Year choices.

  • “It also involves people sitting down and thinking carefully about what a particular word tells us about that year… And some dictionaries even add a third element. They release a short list, but put it to a public vote…” (05:55 – 06:28)

4. Noteworthy Words of the Year (2005–2022)

• 2005: Truthiness (American Dialect Society)

  • Coined by comedian Stephen Colbert, meaning “something that feels like it should be true, even if it isn’t.”
  • “It was a new word for an old idea, the idea that people often believe what they want to be true, not what is actually true.” (09:15)

• 2013: Selfie (Oxford Dictionaries)

  • Signified a cultural shift – the rise of social media and smartphone photography.
  • “If a historian in 100 years needs to figure out the exact date when humans started taking pictures of themselves en masse, well, the choice of selfie as Word of the Year provides a pretty good clue.” (12:18)

• 2016: Post-Truth (Oxford)

  • Described a societal climate where “objective facts seemed to matter less than emotions or personal belief.” Reflects Brexit, the US election, and increased polarization. (13:22)

• 2022: Goblin Mode (Oxford, public vote)

  • Describes an unapologetically lazy, messy, indifferent attitude, especially online.
  • “Someone in goblin mode might be eating junk food in bed and ignoring all responsibilities, simply not caring about what anyone else thinks.” (15:10)

5. Words of the Year for 2025

• 67 (Dictionary.com)

  • Not a traditional word, but the numbers “six seven,” used by young people (Generation Alpha) as a catchall, often meaningless response or joke— popularized on TikTok and other platforms.
    • "If someone asks a question and you don't really want to answer, you can just say 6 7. If you're joking around with a friend and want to tease them, just say 6 7. It means whatever you want it to mean, and that's kind of the point." (21:19)
    • “It's chaotic, slightly annoying, kind of meaningless and oddly fascinating. And importantly, if you are old enough to vote, you're probably too old to use it.” (22:09)

• Collins Dictionary Shortlist & Winner

  • Shortlist includes: aura farming, biohacking, brawligarchy, clanker, coolcation, glaze, HENRY (“High Earner, Not Rich Yet”), micro-retirement, task masking, vibe coding.
    • Vibe Coding (Winner)
      • Refers to using AI tools and natural language instead of traditional programming to create software.
      • "If you've done this yourself, you'll know it's pretty magical. It's a completely new way of building software and it's changing who gets to call themselves a coder." (27:28)
      • Redefines who can be a coder, making the process more accessible and creative.

6. What Words of the Year Tell Us

• Signposts and Time Capsules:

  • Words of the Year are “signs” — they offer insights into the societal psyche, concerns, humor, and collective interests.
  • “They are snapshots, tiny time capsules, a reflection of what people were talking about, what people were paying attention to, what people were concerned about, confused by or inventing.” (32:59)

• Longevity and Obsolescence:

  • Some words fade quickly (e.g., “67”), while others (like “podcast,” chosen in 2005) endure and change the language landscape permanently.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the meaning and cultural role of 'Truthiness':
  • “It was a new word for an old idea, the idea that people often believe what they want to be true, not what is actually true.” (09:15)
• Reflection on 'Selfie' as a marker of cultural change:
  • "The inclusion of this word as Word of the Year clearly pinpoints this cultural shift..." (12:20)
• Generational Divide with '67':
  • “If you are old enough to vote, you’re probably too old to use it.” (22:15)
• Vibe Coding on democratizing programming:
  • “You no longer need to know every programming language if you know how to ask the AI in the right way. In some cases that can be enough.” (28:42)
• Philosophical reflection:
  • “On one level, these Words of the Year lists are a bit of harmless fun... But on another level, they're not just words. They are snapshots, tiny time capsules, a reflection of what people were talking about, what people were paying attention to, what people were concerned about, confused by or inventing.” (32:59)

Major Timestamps

• 00:05 – Introduction, miniseries overview
• 01:39 – Defining “Word of the Year”
• 05:55 – How words are selected (data, editorial, public vote)
• 09:15 – 2005: Truthiness
• 12:18 – 2013: Selfie
• 13:22 – 2016: Post-Truth
• 15:10 – 2022: Goblin Mode
• 20:55 – 2025: 67 (Dictionary.com)
• 23:45 – Collins Dictionary shortlist, definitions
• 27:28 – Vibe Coding explained (Collins winner)
• 32:59 – The bigger meaning of Words of the Year
• 35:10 – Closing, invitation to join for future member-only episodes

Episode Tone and Language

Alastair keeps the language clear, friendly, and slightly playful, making complex linguistic themes accessible and relatable. The tone is curious, gently humorous, and always respectful of both the language and the audience’s learning process.

Conclusion

This episode provides both a window into how English evolves and a fun cultural retrospective. Listeners come away understanding not only how “Words of the Year” are selected, but also how they mirror and shape societal trends. Alastair’s engaging explanations and anecdotes make this an ideal listen for English learners eager to improve their language skills while exploring the quirkiest corners of the English-speaking world.