How the English Language Grew in 2018: A Look at New Words

The English language is alive and constantly changing. New words pop up all the time, thanks to technology, social shifts, and cultural trends. The year 2018 was a big one for our vocabulary, with dictionary publishers adding over 2,000 new words and phrases that captured what was happening in the world.

Language is always changing. The new words added to the dictionary in 2018 show us what's on our minds, from technology to social issues.

Linguists and lexicographers (the people who write dictionaries) know that new words are more than just new vocabulary. They're like little time capsules that show us what society was thinking and talking about at a certain point in time. They reveal how we create shared meaning and adapt our language to new experiences.

Getting a new word into the dictionary is a big deal. It has to be used by a lot of people in a lot of different places over a period of time. This rigorous process ensures that the dictionary stays credible and documents how the language is actually evolving, not just temporary fads.

This article will take a look at some of the most significant words added to the dictionary in 2018 and what they tell us about the broader trends in our language and culture.

How a Word Gets into the Dictionary

It's not as simple as just making up a new word. Dictionary publishers have a systematic process for deciding what gets in.

The Rules of the Game

It has to be used a lot. A new word needs to show up consistently in a wide range of sources, from books and articles to social media.

It has to be used by different people. It can't just be a word that a small group of friends uses. It needs to be used by different people in different parts of the world.

It has to mean something. The word needs to have a stable meaning that people generally agree on.

It has to be useful. It should fill a gap in the language, describing a new concept or experience.

The Research Process

Dictionary editors work with a wide range of experts to track new words.

Academics: University professors and researchers help track new terminology in their fields.

Industry Experts: People in business, tech, and medicine help evaluate new technical terms.

Digital Detectives: A lot of modern dictionary work involves analyzing social media and other digital sources to spot emerging trends.

Quality Control

Multiple Reviews: New words go through several rounds of review to ensure they meet the dictionary's standards.

Clear Definitions: The definitions need to be clear, accurate, and easy to understand.

Real-World Examples: Every new word is backed up by examples of how it's used in the real world.

Getting a word into the dictionary is a serious process. It involves a lot of research and review to make sure the word is a legitimate part of the language.

The New Words of 2018 and What They Mean

The words that were added to the dictionary in 2018 give us a snapshot of our culture at that time.

How We Talk About Ourselves and Others

New words often reflect how our understanding of social relationships is changing.

"Mansplaining": The Oxford English Dictionary added "mansplaining" (when a man explains something to a woman in a condescending way). This showed that a new term was needed to describe a common experience in gendered communication.

Identity and Self-Expression: New words related to identity and relationships show that we're becoming more aware of the complexities of who we are and how we interact with each other.

How We Talk About Our Feelings

In 2018, a lot of new words were added to describe our emotional states.

"Hangry": The addition of "hangry" (being irritable because you're hungry) was a fun one. It shows a growing awareness of the connection between our bodies and our minds.

Emotional Intelligence: New words for complex emotions reflect a growing psychological literacy. We're getting better at talking about our internal worlds.

Mental Health: The growing conversation around mental health is leading to new vocabulary that helps reduce stigma and allows for more open discussions.

How We Talk About Technology

Technology is one of the biggest drivers of new words.

Social Media and Digital Life: New words are constantly being created to describe our online behavior and the dynamics of social media.

Cybersecurity: As we become more aware of the dangers of the digital world, we need new words to talk about online safety and privacy.

Artificial Intelligence: The rise of AI is creating a whole new vocabulary for talking about machine learning, automation, and our relationship with technology.

Language and Social Issues

New words also show how we're grappling with the big social challenges of our time.

The Environment

As environmental concerns grow, so does our vocabulary for talking about them.

Climate Change: New terms related to climate action, sustainability, and environmental responsibility are becoming more common.

Green Tech: As we develop new technologies to address environmental problems, we need new words to describe them.

Health and Wellness

Our approach to health is changing, and our language is changing with it.

Holistic Health: New words are emerging to describe a more holistic approach to wellness that includes mind, body, and spirit.

Mental Health: The language we use to talk about mental health is becoming less stigmatized and more nuanced.

Nutrition and Fitness: New diet and exercise trends are constantly introducing new words into our vocabulary.

Social Justice

The growing awareness of social justice issues is creating a need for new language.

Inclusion and Diversity: As we work to create more inclusive communities, we're developing a new vocabulary to talk about diversity and equity.

Social Activism: Modern social movements are coining new terms to describe their strategies and goals.

Identity and Representation: Our understanding of identity is becoming more complex, and we need new words to accurately and respectfully describe the diversity of human experience.

The new words of 2018 reflect our growing concerns about social identity, technology, the environment, and social justice.

How New Words Are Made

New words are created in some pretty interesting ways.

Blending (Portmanteaus): Words like "mansplaining" and "hangry" are made by blending two existing words together.

Adding Prefixes and Suffixes: We often create new words by adding a prefix or a suffix to an existing word.

Metaphors: Many new words are created by extending the meaning of an old word to a new context.

Borrowing: We're always borrowing words from other languages and cultures.

What's Next for the English Language?

The new words of 2018 give us some clues about where our language is headed.

New Technology

Artificial Intelligence: As AI becomes a bigger part of our lives, we'll need more words to talk about it.

Virtual and Augmented Reality: Immersive technologies will create a whole new vocabulary for describing virtual experiences.

Biotechnology: Advances in genetic engineering and medicine will require new words for the public to understand them.

Social Changes

Post-Pandemic Life: The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has already given us a host of new words that are likely to stick around.

Climate Change: As we continue to deal with the effects of climate change, we'll need new words to describe our experiences and solutions.

Digital Communication

Video and Multimedia: The rise of video communication will create new words for describing how we interact online.

Cryptocurrency: The world of digital currency has its own complex vocabulary that is slowly making its way into the mainstream.

Why This Matters to You

Keeping up with new words can make you a more effective communicator.

For Writers

Know Your Audience: Using contemporary language can show that you're culturally literate, but be careful not to use words that your audience won't understand.

Be Credible: Using new terminology correctly can boost your credibility.

For Educators

Teach the Living Language: Incorporating new words into the curriculum can teach students about how language and culture evolve together.

The new words that are added to the dictionary each year are a reflection of our ever-changing world. They show us what we're thinking about, what we're struggling with, and what we're excited about.

By paying attention to how our language is growing, we can gain a deeper understanding of our culture and become more effective communicators in the process.