Each year, esteemed dictionaries and linguists release their highly anticipated “word of the year” selections – terms that have captured the zeitgeist and risen to prominence in our collective vocabulary. From “BRAT” to “delulu,” 2024’s contenders are as eye-catching as they are head-scratching for many. But are these viral sensations destined for dictionary glory, or will they fade into obscurity as quickly as they emerged? We’re putting them to the test to find out.
The Crossword Puzzle Litmus Test
One surefire way to gauge a word’s staying power is to see if it has been embraced by the gatekeepers of language themselves: crossword puzzle creators. These wordsmiths are always on the hunt for fresh, exciting terms to incorporate into their brain-teasing grids. However, as much as they love linguistic novelties, they prioritize the solver’s experience above all else.
A puzzle that could only be finished if the solver knew their GYATs from their SOCIAL BATTERY would be unsatisfying. And irritating. It would be a bad puzzle.
– Alan Connor, Crossword Blogger
So, how do 2024’s trendiest terms fare when put to the crossword test? Not so well, it seems. Romantasy, looksmaxxing, and even frontrunner BRAT have yet to make their grid debuts. While BRAT has appeared in clues, it has been used in reference to its traditional meaning of a spoiled child, not the confident, hedonistic attitude it has come to represent in recent months.
Glimmers of Hope for “Delulu” and “Supermajority”
Among the buzzworthy bunch, delulu (short for “delusional”) seems to have the best shot at crossword fame. Its snappy sound and potential as an anagram indicator give it an edge. Meanwhile, supermajority has already made a singular appearance, hinting at its possible staying power in the political realm and beyond.
The Overlooked Contender: “Trendbait”
Interestingly, one term that has been largely overlooked by the mainstream “word of the year” lists is trendbait. Coined in February to describe the “bizarre (and annoying) explosion of tryhard slang on TikTok,” this meta term has the potential to outlast the very fads it critiques. Its absence from the shortlists is a curious omission that may say more about the selection process than the word’s worthiness.
The Verdict: A Wait-and-See Approach
As much as we love to speculate about which words will define our era, only time will tell which ones have the staying power to become fixtures in our everyday speech. While the crossword test provides a valuable litmus test, it is by no means definitive. Language is a living, evolving entity that defies easy prediction or control.
So, whether you’re an avid adopter of the latest lingo or a skeptical observer of passing fads, embrace the uncertainty and enjoy the linguistic ride. After all, the beauty of language lies in its endless capacity to surprise, delight, and confound us at every turn.
