Choosing the ‘word’ of the year is an annual exercise that tries to capture the essence of what caught the imagination of people. It first started as a tradition in German in 1971. The American Dialect Society first selected an English ‘Word of the Year’ at its conference in 1990.

The words are chosen by dictionaries and institutions after extensive research and public participation. Software gleans the words being searched or used more often in the current context. Dictionary editors contribute to the process. Finally, a word or term is selected, based primarily on its prominence and relevance in the year gone by. In 2024 words like ‘brain rot’, ‘polarization’ and ‘kakistocracy’ made the cut, clearly reflecting the dominant cultural themes and emotions that were prevailing that year.

In 2025, Oxford dictionary has chosen ‘rage bait’ as the word of the year.  Defined as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media content,” the emergence of the word signifies that users are now aware of the manipulative side of social media. The word was first used online in 2002, but has caught attention and traction in 2025.

While awareness of manipulative tactics is growing, many on the other hand are forming strong bonds with AI chat bots. There are instances of young people even marrying their AI ‘friend’. The Cambridge dictionary has chosen ‘parasocial’ as its word of the year. It is defined as “involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know, a character in a book, film, TV series, etc., or an artificial intelligence.” Whether celebrities, AI chatbots or even podcast hosts – fans respond to them in a manner that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.

The other word that has caught the imagination this year is ‘slop’. The Economist magazine and the Macquarie Dictionary have declared it as their word of the year. The term had started circulating in the early years of generative AI, and is now everywhere. It indicates content that lacks meaning or use. Today slop clogs our feeds, and it is distressing to think that about a generation growing up consuming slop.

Words are not simply tools of expression; they are also indicators of the times we live in. They remind us of what matters to us, what we aspire for and what creates a sense of fear and apprehension.  The internet and social media are engaging our attention – as users, researchers or observers. The words that gained prominence in 2025 reflect the growing realization about the possible impact it has on our lives. Maybe the next time you are scrolling and see some ‘slop’ you will be prompted to stop and give your attention to things that have meaning and value!

Published in Lokmat Times in December 2025