Each class , members of the American Dialect Society ( ADS ) convene for a few days to present new studies , attend board word aboutlanguage , and vote on the Word of the Year . Though the conference has beencanceleddue toCOVID-19 , 2020 will still get its Word of the Year — the organization is holding a virtual right to vote , and everyone is welcome to participate .
The complimentary onlineeventwill take place on Thursday , December 17 , from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST . When you register , you’re able to propose up to five words that you cogitate merit the laurels . You ’re not confined to those found in the dictionary ; in fact , your nominations do n’t even have to bewords . The ADS also accepts “ phrases , compounds , catchphrases , hashtags , and other types of legal brief compose or spoken communicating , ” soacronymsandslangare fair game , too .
If you and your three closest ally are the only ones who use a certain term , however , it might not make the slash — in improver to being “ newor freshly popular , ” nominations should be “ widely used ” around the country . The cosmopolitan idea is to pick out an expression that enchant the spirit of the year and excogitate the current cultural atmosphere of America .
Looking back through previous winners can assist you get a feel for what wee a good password of the Year . Last year , for example , voterschose“(My ) Pronouns , ” referencing the now - common practice of asking for someone ’s pronouns and including yours in email signatures , social media bios , and similar position . The 2014 achiever was “ # blacklivesmatter,”markingthe first time a Twitter hashtag earned the title . ( accidentally , hashtagitselfwas2012 ’s Word of the Year , andtweetwon in 2009 . )
you could show for the ADS livestream — and make your nominations — here .
