The Words We Use

You’ve probably heard that Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2023 is “authentic.”

It’s a high volume word that we have looked up a lot over the years and one we strive for - but apparently this year, it became the top term. It may not be surprising when you look at the other words that made the dictionary’s “top” list:

• Rizz 

• Deepfake

• Coronation

• Dystopian

• EGOT

• X

• Implode

• Doppelgänger

• Covenant

• Indict

• Elemental

• Kibbutz

• Deadname

Go ahead - look them up - or read this article from the Merriam-Webster team about the words that made their list.

As many news outlets have reported, these words truly defined 2023 and the things we faced. Consider…

Artificial Intelligence, celebrity culture, identity and social media drove the popularity of both deepfake and authentic. You could add a little influence from the Barbie movie as well. As the dictionary’s editor at large, Peter Sokolowski said “ "The line between 'real' and 'fake' has become increasingly blurred. As a result, in social media and marketing, authentic has become the gold standard for building trust -- and authenticity, ironically, has become a performance."

As we talked about the record-high temperatures this year, the impact of the Canadian forest fires and climate change (with a little addition of some creepy AI events) the word dystopian spiked in look ups.

Many of the words on the list happened because of some big events that happened this year. Examples include:

• The coronation of King Charles III

• Viola Davis winning a Grammy (EGOT)

• The Titan submersible unfortunately imploded

• Many high profile indictments

• The Hamas attack on kibbutz 

The internet brought us rizz - YouTuber Kai Cent is credited with the creation of the word.

And then there was “X” - let’s not get into that one here.

While Merriam-Webster’s latest list highlights their most looked up words of the year and how the world has influenced them, one thing to consider is the words we choose to use.

What words do you use to talk to:

• People you work with?

• People you don’t know?

• Your family?

• Yourself?

We know that words have power and matter. Words are the key way we communicate in both written and verbal formats. And because of this, we have become both cautious and sensitive to the words we use in some ways and in other ways - we’ve let some words become a little less meaningful.

In a Psychology Today article by Mel Schwartz L.C.S.W., he points out how many of our conversations are rather “nonsensical” and meaningless. Examples of substituting “Love ya” for good bye or replying “Good.“(or fine) when asked how you are doing. He says none of these invite genuine interaction. 

The solve? Answering honestly, inviting true interactions/conversations and being authentic. 

Hmmm - there’s that word again.

My wish for you this holiday season is that it is not only filled with true time off and a slower pace, but also one that is filled with  being authentic and authentic, meaningful interactions.

Thanks for being part of our Circle this year!