The Committee’s choice of Word of the Year 2012 is:
phantom vibration syndrome |
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noun a syndrome characterised by constant anxiety in relation to one’s mobile phone and an obsessional conviction that the phone has vibrated in response to an incoming call when in fact it hasn’t. Also, phantom phone vibration syndrome. |
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The committee thought that phantom vibration syndrome (which they suggest should be abbreviated to PVS in the spirit of the times) was an indication of how attached we have become to this technology which has had such an impact on all our lives. They enjoyed the self-deprecating tone of First World problem and acknowledged that it is frighteningly true how adept small children (technomites) are with new technology. They thought that the origins of Aussie Rules in the Indigenous game marngrook should be recognised and observed the democratisation of knowledge and enterprising activity in the term crowdfunding.
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The Committee would like to give honourable mention to:
crowdfunding
noun the obtaining of small donations from individuals contacted through social networks, as to fund a project, support a cause, etc.
Also, crowd source funding.
–crowdfunded, adjective
technomite
noun (humorous) a young child who is adept in the use of digital media.
[techno- + mite (a very small child)]
marngrook
noun a type of football played by Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia before European settlement, being characterised by large numbers of players covering a wide area of ground, a ball made from stuffed animal skin, and a style of play which involved dropping the ball onto the foot and kicking it, and leaping high above others to catch it; seen as an influence on Australian Rules.
[in various Victorian Aboriginal languages: game ball]
First World problem
noun a problem that relates to the affluent lifestyle associated with the First World, and that would never arise in the poverty-stricken circumstances of the Third World, as having to settle for plunger coffee when one’s espresso machine is not functioning.
The People’s Choice Award for 2012 goes to:
First World problem |
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noun a problem that relates to the affluent lifestyle associated with the First World, and that would never arise in the poverty-stricken circumstances of the Third World, as having to settle for plunger coffee when one’s espresso machine is not functioning. |
Category winners:
| Agriculture | peachcot |
| Arts | yarn bombing |
| Business | silo mentality |
| Colloquial | wine flu |
| Communications | phantom vibration syndrome |
| Eating and Drinking | apera |
| Environment | green tape |
| Fashion | hobo glove |
| General Interest | solidarity tourism |
| Health | diabesity |
| Internet | crowdfunding |
| Politics | Sputnik moment |
| Social Interest | First World problem |
| Sport | marngrook |
| Technology |
Download the pdf below to view all the entries considered for Word of the Year 2012.
