According to the American Dialect Society, http://www.american dialectsociety.org/Word of the year, the 2010 word of the year is “tweet,” and the word of the decade is “google.” Both terms come from computer terminology, and refer to aspects of communication, which I appreciate, and sometimes struggle to understand!
The 2009 word of the year was “bailout,” and 2007 featured “subprime.” I don’t know the exact criteria for selecting the word of the year, but members of the society can nominate and vote. According to a 2006 press release, members are instructed to select a word or phrase that is “newly prominent or notable in the past year.” They also note that the group is not acting in any official capacity of a governing body.
The ADS website states “Founded in 1889, the American Dialect Society is dedicated to the study of the English language in North America, and of other languages, or dialects of other languages, influencing it or influenced by it. Members include academics and amateurs, professionals and dilettantes, teachers and writers.”
After reading the article, I tried to come up with some great words of my own, but nothing seemed important enough to warrant such an honor as “word of the year.” There are so many great words that it’s hard to choose. I’m glad someone is doing it, though. The question is, what do you wear to the awards ceremony?
Talk to you soon,
Mary
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