I’ve been
noticing certain terms in my journal I never used
before: “respiratory droplets,” “social distancing,” “Zoom” (the website). Then
I thought of the American Dialect Society.
So
what will be the word/phrase of this year? “pandemic”? “coronavirus”? “COVid-19”?
My suggestions above? I hope it won’t be “social collapse” or “depression.” The
Society takes nominations all year long at woty@americandialect.org. (Can't seem to make this a clickable link, but you can always copy and paste.) Here’s
your chance to weigh in.
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I’m
participating in the 13th annual Slice of Life Challenge over at Two Writing Teachers.
This is day 24 of the 31-day challenge. It’s not too late to make space
for daily writing in a community that is encouraging, enthusiastic, and eager
to read what you have to slice about. Join in!
I am thinking social distancing will definitely make the urbn dictionary this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun wordsy post.
thank you! I learned about the American Dialect Society when I was teaching copy editing. I always began the spring semester with a discussion of the word of the year, and whether students agreed or had other nominations.
DeleteMy husband and I had a discussion about new words, and surmised that "social distancing" would definitely be one. Thank you for teaching me something today.
ReplyDeleteit's a discussion I would have had with my husband, too. I think he would have hated these words.
DeleteI agree with you, and the other commenters - I think that social distancing will be the winner this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree with "social distancing" but I'd also consider "new normal". Thanks for the thoughtful slice. :-) ~JudyK
ReplyDeleteit could be. I thought it might have been already, but not so. So "new normal" has a chance.
DeleteI'm still voting for "impeachment" ... but I'm stubborn like that. ;)
ReplyDeleteLol. I actually thought that was all last year. The vote was only February 5. That seems like another century.
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