Word of the Year (WOTY)

2008 was an exciting year for the US, with many new words coined to fit the mood of our country.

Can you think of any?

How about: Soccer Mom? How about staycation?

The American Dialect Society votes this month for 2008′s Word of the Year. What word would you nominate?

A few dictionaries already have selected their own WOTY.

  • Miriam Webster chose bailout
  • New Oxford Dictionary chose hypermiling.
  • Webster’s New World Dictionary chose oversharing (a retake on TMI, or “too much information”)

For more information, listen to Fresh Air’s podcast: Geoff Nunberg Nominates 2008′s Word of The Year.

For even more information, see what Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett have to say on their A Way with Words website.

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One Response to Word of the Year (WOTY)

  1. Ian says:

    All those are great words. I thought it was “Social Media”.

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