Asked to sum up 2022 in a word, the public has chosen a phrase.
Oxford Dictionaries said Monday that 㽶Ƶֱgoblin mode㽶Ƶֱ has been selected by online vote as its word of the year.
It defines the term as 㽶Ƶֱa type of behavior which is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations.㽶Ƶֱ
First seen on Twitter in 2009, 㽶Ƶֱgoblin mode㽶Ƶֱ gained popularity in 2022 as people around the world emerged uncertainly from pandemic lockdowns.
㽶ƵֱGiven the year we㽶Ƶֱve just experienced, 㽶Ƶֱgoblin mode㽶Ƶֱ resonates with all of us who are feeling a little overwhelmed at this point,㽶Ƶֱ said Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl.
The word of the year is intended to reflect 㽶Ƶֱthe ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the past twelve months.㽶Ƶֱ For the first time this year㽶Ƶֱs winning phrase was chosen by public vote, from among three finalists selected by Oxford Languages lexicographers: goblin mode, metaverse and the hashtag IStandWith.
Despite being relatively unknown offline, goblin mode was the overwhelming favorite, winning 93% of the more than 340,000 votes cast.
The choice is more evidence of a world unsettled after years of pandemic turmoil, and by the huge changes in behavior and politics brought by social media.
Last week announced that its word of the year is 㽶Ƶֱgaslighting㽶Ƶֱ 㽶Ƶֱ psychological manipulation intended to make a person question the validity of their own thoughts.
In 2021 the Oxford word of the year was 㽶Ƶֱvax㽶Ƶֱ and Merriam-Webster㽶Ƶֱs was 㽶Ƶֱvaccine.㽶Ƶֱ