Make way for 'fake news' - 2017's word of the year
Trending word on social media "fake news" has made its way into Collins dictionary. Photo: YouTube Screengrab
(Web Desk) – Social media language has swiftly paved way to introduce hybrid words that explain specific scenarios in modern lives.
Phrase “fake news” which was consistently used in headlines and a Twitter feed in particular was named word of the year by dictionary publisher Collins, reported the BBC.
The “fake news” phrase became synonymous with the statements made by the U.S. President Donald Trump, as he constantly criticised the media.
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Definition of "fake news" on Harper Collins dictionary. Photo: Harper Collins
It became one of the most used phrases on social media with its use rising by 365% in 2017.
Apart from other words, Collins publisher picked “fake news” to be published in their next dictionary.
Politics played a vital role and influenced the short listing, with words which also took a spot were, “Antifa” – a short word used for ‘Anti-Fascists’ and “Eco-Chamber”- a lexicon describing a situation with certain ideas, beliefs or data points which are reinforced through constant repetition of a closed system that does not allow free movement of alternative or challenging ideas or concepts.
Words like “Insta”- linked to the photo-sharing app Instagram- and “fidget spinner” could not beat the top phrase defined by Collins as, “false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting”.
Collins dictionary has been highlighting trending words since the time words made its way into trending spots on social media, the previous winners of trending word included, “Brexit” and “Geek”.
The word “Brexit” became so popular that President Trump, U.K.’s Prime Minister Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have included the word in their speeches and social media has been littered with accusations.
Helen Newstead, Collins head of language content, said: " Fake news , either as a statement of fact or as an accusation, has been inescapable this year, contributing to the undermining of society s trust in news reporting."
Collins dictionary has previously added words that were used in speeches by prominent politicians. Photo: Harper Collins
Previous Word of the Year title holders
2016 - Brexit: Noun meaning "the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union".
2015 - Binge-watch: Verb meaning "to watch a large number of television programmes (especially all the shows from one series) in succession".
2014 - Photobomb: Verb meaning "spoiling a photograph by stepping in front of them as the photograph is taken, often doing something silly such as making a funny face".
2013 - Geek: Countable noun meaning "someone who is skilled with computers, and who seems more interested in them than in people".
Other new words hitting the shortlist included "gig economy", "gender fluid" and "cuffing season" - when single people look for a partner just to keep them warm in the winter months.
