Word of the Year Wonderings
'Tis the season, as they say.
You know the drill – “Peace on earth and goodwill to all, except the folks at the Oxford English Dictionary.”
Once again, the online world is ablaze with chatter about this year's Word of the Year selection. Few linguistic debates spark such fervor as the WOTY does.
In case you blinked and missed it (and to spare you the endless scroll), the crowned jewel in the Oxford dictionary for 2023 is “rizz.
Yes, “rizz,” a distant cousin of “charisma,” like saying, “Judi’s got some serious rizz.”
(Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Apparently, folks aren't thrilled about this choice
For those playing along at home, my journey into this WOTY drama began on The Internet’s Water Cooler, aka, social media. Someone had shared an article with the caption, “Hmph.”
So, after mixing myself a martini, I settled in for a long evening’s nap scroll through the wilds of the internet.
I’m kidding. I did no such thing. I've been around the WOTY block a few times, and I know the battle lines people are drawing, for it is a timeless tale.
We're (once again) witnessing a clash between those who champion and those who challenge, or in the realm of linguistics, a showdown between linguistic rule-makers (Prescriptivists) and linguistic observers (Descriptivists).
Prescriptivists, the language purists, rally behind the battle cry of "Maintain standards! Preserve language integrity!" They advocate for strict adherence to grammar rules and established language conventions, believing in upholding linguistic traditions.
On the other hand, Descriptivists, the language realists, champion the cry, "Reflect, don't dictate! Language evolves!" They emphasize observing how language is used in practice, accepting diverse linguistic variations, and highlighting that language naturally changes over time.
As will come as no surprise, I’m a Descriptivist. I believe that the dictionary (OED and otherwise) serves as the court reporter of language, not an adjudicator, and that language is an ever-evolving reflection of our culture and overall environment in all of its wondrous platforms.
I also know that in order for a word to make it into the dictionary (again, OED or otherwise), it needs to meet certain thresholds, including, but not limited to:
Usage: Dictionaries are like language time capsules, capturing words that have soaked into our conversations and writing over time. The more a word pops up and sticks around, the better its chances of making it into these lexical treasure troves.
Evidence of Usage: Words aiming for dictionary stardom need to be consistent players across the language landscape. They've got to show up everywhere – in books, news, classrooms, chats at the coffee shop – with citations and proof of their active service in the linguistic world.
Cultural or Social Relevance: Contrary to Glinda the Good Witch's wisdom, linguistic fame is not solely about being popular; it's about mirroring society's heartbeat. Words that capture the essence of our evolving culture, ride the tides of trends, or encapsulate major shifts in our lifestyles often clinch a place in the dictionary's spotlight.
Guess what? “Rizz” meets all of these criteria and then some.
Lastly (and yes, this rant is almost done), lexicographers aren't only custodians of the past; they're also fiercely protective of language's future, constantly refreshing their collection by letting go of the outdated and embracing the fresh to keep pace with language's evolution.
So for me, the question isn’t “What in the name of all that is holy and unholy is “rizz” doing in the dictionary?” It’s, “Will ‘rizz’ hold its ground?”
As I’m prone to say about much of life’s mysteries, “We're gonna find out.” But for now, if you're in the prescriptive camp, mourning that “rizz” isn't legitimate, I regret to inform you—it is indeed a word.
P.S. As a self-professed Linguistic Imp, I can't help but stir the pot for the Prescriptivists among us with this friendly reminder: I stand by the belief that “irregardless” is a word. No matter which linguistic team you root for, if you're curious about all the ins and outs of that, click right here.
P.P.S. If you want to know more than any healthy person should about dictionaries and how they operate, I recommend Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries by Kory Stamper, which you can purchase via my affiliate link here.