“It’s a great illustration of the limitless potential of linguistic innovation,” Ben Zimmer, chair of the ADS New Words Committee and language columnist at the Wall Street Journal tells Rolling Stone.
Of course, “-ussy” did have its detractors, and sparked “animated debate,” though none quibbled with its air of obscenity or reliance on a base word. The organization takes an “expansive” view of the lexical landscape, so crass terms are always on the table, along with “compounds, phrases, and affixes,” Zimmer explains.
“I didn’t hear many objections to ‘-ussy’ on the grounds of vulgarity,” says Zimmer. “After all, this is a selection made by descriptive linguists who aren’t trying to impose restrictions on how language should be. Rather, the dissenting voices had other concerns: that the ‘-ussy’ prefix isn’t widely known beyond the chronically online, and that there might be other choices that better express the zeitgeist of 2022, like ‘quiet quitting’ or ‘Slava Ukraini.
So perhaps the internet conferred an advantage on “-ussy” supporters. And why not? It’s the primary driver of linguistic evolution in the 21st century. No sense complaining about how vocabulary changes — all you can do is try to keep up. In fact, “-ussy” went on to win top honors after dominating the sub-category of “Most Creative Word of the Year,” which goes to show the power of novelty.
There’s no denying that sex sells, too. “I think the subversive nature of using a mildly profane word related to
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Nearly 200 Rohingya refugees arrive in Indonesia in wooden boatThe ship, which carried mostly women and children, is the fifth boat of Rohingya refugees to land in Indonesia since November, according to authorities.
Weiterlesen »
SZA’s ‘SOS’ Makes It a Month at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart.SZA's 'SOS' spends a fourth straight week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart
Weiterlesen »
SZA’s ‘Kill Bill’ Bounds to No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 ChartSZA tops the survey for the first time. Plus, new top 10s for NewJeans and RAYE.
Weiterlesen »
SZA Makes History as 'SOS' Spends 4th Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200SZA is the first woman to have an R&B album spend four weeks at no. 1 since Alicia Keys' 'As I Am.' 👏
Weiterlesen »
California snowpack now more than 200 percent above normalThe crucial snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is now more than 200 percent above normal for this date and 76% of the April 1 average, which is usually the peak
Weiterlesen »