Oxford Announces 2025 Word of the Year Contenders

Oxford University Press announced three contenders for the 2025 Word of the Year: “aura farming

biohack

and “rage bait

Dictionary.com and Cambridge Dictionary also announced their Words of the Year: “67

and “parasocial

respectively

Gen Z and Alpha slang, such as “rizz

skibiddi

cheugy

and “drip

are part of a long tradition of linguistic evolution

Historical examples of slang and portmanteau words, like “23 skidoo

and “chortle

show that language is constantly changing

The use of slang by younger generations is a way to differentiate themselves and establish their identity

Experts discuss the impact of slang on communication and the potential shrinkage of vocabulary due to the use of fillers and emojis