Dictionary.com selected “demure” as the 2024 Word of the Year, reflecting modern values of subtle elegance. “Extreme weather” was also notable, driven by significant climate events. The evolving use of these terms highlights the relationship between language and current societal trends.
In 2024, Dictionary.com announced its Word of the Year as “demure,” noting that this term illustrates a cultural shift towards embracing understated elegance and confidence. Following closely in the rankings, “extreme weather” gained prominence, particularly following numerous significant climate events. The surge in interest for these terms reflects societal changes and heightened awareness surrounding modesty and climate issues alike, as analyzed by lexicographers at Dictionary.com based on social media and news trends.
The usage of “demure” saw an impressive increase of around 1,200%, in part due to a viral TikTok series. In contrast, the term “extreme weather” was propelled into the spotlight as catastrophic weather events unfolded worldwide, including hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and droughts. Dictionary.com highlights the fluidity of language and its connection to current events, as their lexicographers assessed public interest and usage statistics to identify the year’s terms.
The term “extreme weather” finds its origins potentially dating back to the 1570s, an era marked by significant climate variations and turmoil. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), extreme weather refers to rare events exhibiting uncommon characteristics for a given location and time of year, encompassing heatwaves, droughts, and hurricanes. This definition underscores an increased frequency of severe weather patterns, further exacerbated by climate change, as recognized by NASA experts.
Other notable terms included in Dictionary.com’s shortlist are “brainrot,” which describes the effects of consuming low-quality online content, and “Midwest nice,” a term denoting a polite demeanor typical of the region. These selections highlight the evolving nature of language and its reflection of contemporary cultural and societal dynamics. As individuals navigate a world transitioning back to in-person interactions, concepts such as personal presentation and the impact of emerging vocabulary become increasingly significant.
The increase in the usage of terms such as “extreme weather” and “demure” stems from the ongoing dialogue about societal values and significant current events. The heightened awareness of climate change has led to modern communities adopting terminologies that reflect these critical issues. Furthermore, social media plays an influential role in shaping the language and prioritizing certain words based on events, trends, and cultural shifts. As such, the year 2024 has seen a fascinating interplay between language evolution and public consciousness.
In summary, Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year for 2024, “demure,” emphasizes a cultural trend towards celebrating quiet confidence and understated elegance. Simultaneously, the term “extreme weather” emerges in public discourse due to recent climate disasters, reflecting increased awareness of environmental issues. These developments in language illustrate the interconnectedness of cultural shifts and current events, informing how words transform and resonate within society.
Original Source: www.foxweather.com
