Because why not?
LONDON, UK – Asked to sum up 2022 in one word, the public chose one phrase.
Oxford Dictionaries Peer said That “Goblin Mode” has been chosen as the word of the year by an online vote.
It defines the term as “a type of behavior that is unapologetically selfish, lazy, lazy, or greedy, usually in a way that defies social norms or expectations.”
First seen on Twitter in 2009, “Goblin Mode” gained popularity in 2022 as people around the world emerged uncertainly from pandemic lockdowns.
Related: What is ‘gas lighting’? Merriam-Webster’s word of the year has a long history.
“Given the year we’ve just experienced, ‘goblin mode’ resonates with all of us who are feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment,” said Kasper Grathwohl, president of Oxford Languages.
The word of the year is meant to reflect “the morals, disposition, or preoccupations of the past twelve months.” For the first time, this year’s winning phrase was chosen by public vote, from among three finalists chosen by the lexicographers of Oxford Languages: Goblin Mode, Metaverse and the hashtag IStandWith.
Despite being relatively unknown offline, Goblin Mod was the top favorite, winning 93% of the 340,000 votes cast.
The election is more evidence of a world after years of pandemic turmoil and major changes in behavior and politics brought about by social media.
Last week Merriam-Webster announced that its word of the year is “gaslighting” — psychological manipulation aimed at making a person question the validity of their own thoughts.
Oxford’s word of the year in 2021 was “wax” and Merriam Webster’s “vaccine”.