Post-truth is WOTY-16

Say wha? 

Oxford Dictionaries has chosen “post-truth” as its international word of the year for 2016. Word of the Year (WOTY) is a word or expression that captures the mood and preoccupations of a particular year. The team picked “post-truth” after noticing a spike of approximately 2,000 per cent over its usage in 2015. Last year, the WOTY was the “laughing with tears” emoji. 

What does post-truth mean?

To be used as an adjective, “post-truth” denotes “circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief,” according to Oxford Dictionaries. The team has said the decision of Great Britain to exit the European Union and the cacophonous fight between Hillary Clinton and president-elect Donald Trump in the US contributed to the phenomenal rise in the use of “post-truth”.

How do I use it?

“The election result is hardly a surprise in the post-truth world we live in.” Or, “The government, it seems, can get away with anything in our post-truth society.” 

Note: Here, the “post-” prefix doesn’t mean “after” as in “post-war”, it refers more to an atmosphere or circumstances. 

How not to use it…

“The talk within the t2 girl gang is SO post-truth that desserts seem to lead to weight loss!”  

And now, Team t2 faves from the WOTY-16 shortlist...

Adulting (noun): behaving responsibly.

Example: “I’ve just spent the entire weekend adulting. #boring”

Brexiteer (noun): A person who is in favour of the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union.

Example: “Could you date a Brexiteer?”

Chatbot (noun): A computer programme designed to simulate conversation with humans over the Internet.
Example: “I’m so single I’d have a relationship with a chatbot.” 

Coulrophobia (noun): Extreme fear of clowns.

Example: “Crazy hair, white face, huge eyes, I totally get coulrophobia, man.” 

Glass cliff (noun): A situation where a woman or member of a minority group reaches a position of leadership where the risk of failure is high.

Example: “The position of MD she’s been offered looks lucrative but is actually a glass cliff.” 

Hygge (noun): A feeling of cosiness and comfort leading to contentment (inspired from Danish culture).

Example: “We spent the weekend lying in each other’s arms and reading our favourite books. #Hygge”