DiscoverThe Hard ShoulderDoes the ‘Word of the Year’ matter?
Does the ‘Word of the Year’ matter?

Does the ‘Word of the Year’ matter?

Update: 2025-11-18
Share

Description

It’s that time of year again where dictionaries begin naming their words of the year. Cambridge Dictionary has gone with ‘parasocial’ while Collins has chosen ‘vibe coding’. With previous words of the year including ‘brat’ in 2024 and even ‘austerity’ in 2015.

How well do these words capture the years they’re chosen, and why are we so obsessed with the words of the year?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Journalist and host of the ‘No Encore’ music podcast, Dave Hanratty.

Comments 
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Does the ‘Word of the Year’ matter?

Does the ‘Word of the Year’ matter?