It’s a favorite time of the year — when Merriam-Webster announces its word of the year.
Yes, I’m easily excited and I’m a word nerd.
You see, for me this annual event speaks to how our language changes or stays the same, or how a word that may not have been in use much before suddenly comes to the forefront.
Of course, I also get excited because this decision happened in Springfield and about a mile from my home.
Here is what Merriam-Webster decided: “Today Merriam-Webster announced its 2024 Word of the Year: ‘polarization.’
“Lookup volume of ‘polarization’ on Merriam-Webster.com throughout 2024 reflected the desire of Americans to better understand the complex state of affairs in our country and around the world.
“Polarization is defined as ‘division into two sharply distinct opposites; 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.’
“‘Polarization was widely used to describe America in 2024,’ says Merriam-Webster President Greg Barlow. ‘Ironically, it’s a concept that is shared by both sides of the political divide.’”
So based on what word people were looking up the folks at Merriam-Webster chose one that indeed we hear all the time now.
There were other words in the running as well.
“Totality — When the moon generated astronomical excitement as it passed in front of the sun.
“Demure — When a TikTok influencer posted a series of makeup videos with a catchphrase that went viral.
“Fortnight — With the release of Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured Poets Department’ album, featuring a track by that name.
“Pander — When both sides in the U.S. election used the term to mock their opponents’ behavior.
“Allision — With the word being used to describe how a ship caused a bridge in Baltimore to collapse.
“Democracy — As Americans from red states and blue states looked up this word, which never appears in the Declaration of Independence or Constitution, to better understand an idea they wanted to celebrate, critique or defend.”
This made me think about my own language usage. Was there a word or phrase that I used a lot more than usual?
I know my use of language has changed dramatically since I retired on Oct. 1, 2022. I used to swear a lot more with the F-word a favorite exclamation, adverb and verb. I won’t use it in a sentence, but I think you know what I mean.
Hey, my defense is simple: I was an elderly newspaper guy who drank bourbon and Scotch, smoked cigars and believed the newsroom was a place for no-holds-barred discussions about anything. Clearly there’s no place for me in today’s environment. Clearly it’s safer for me — HR-wise — to write at home. The cats don’t mind occasional profanity.
“Book” may be my word of the year. In 2024, I released the second volume of my book about the Max Fleischer animation studio and followed that up with my 100-chapter-each-consisting-of-100-words memoir about what I’ve learned about journalism from being on the job.
Now, I’m hovering at about a one-fourth of the way through a new book project about the actor Tom Tyler, whose career was singular in Hollywood.
There are two other books planned, which I hope to complete for an even 10 before I do the dirt nap.
Honestly though, although “book” played large part in my lexicon, my word of the year is “retirement.”
I’m asked about my retirement often by people. Friends and other folks want to know if I’m enjoying it.
The answer is “Generally, yes.”
I am disappointed that early-bird dinners seem to be a thing of the past — I was looking forward to those when I was younger — and I’ve yet to find those one-piece jumpsuits I would see marketed to retired people when I was younger. Shirt and pants combined in one garment! Genius! Saves time every morning about picking out an outfit.
I also ask my retired friends about their retirement experience. Talking about retirement appears to be a favorite topic for retired people.
“Retirement” appears to be my word of the year. What’s yours?
G. Michael Dobbs has worked for Reminder Publishing for 23 years of his nearly 50-year-career in the Western Mass. media scene, and previously served as the executive editor. He has spent his time with the publisher covering local politics, interesting people and events. The opinions expressed within the article are that of the author’s and do not represent the opinions and beliefs of the paper.
