There are a fifteen categories in the Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year longlist (you can check the full list out here). Each of these categories is comprised of five words, that’s a lot of words to bulk up your vocabulary! The list is then whittled down to just fifteen words that you can choose from in the People’s Choice Word of the Year 2019.
Before you vote, take a look at the five words that made it through our Comittee’s rigorous selection process.
Colloquialisms provide a rich source of new and interesting words. These words are often slang words originating from popular culture that become ubiquitous throughout the year, such as the 2017 People’s Choice winner framily.
One of the contenders on this year’s list is JOMO, or joy at missing out, the opposite of the dreaded FOMO or fear of missing out. Hangxiety is another word on the list. A portmanteau of hangover and anxiety, you can imagine the sort of feeling that might accompany this word!
JOMO
noun Colloquial a peaceful and appreciative state of mind induced by choosing not to participate in some activity.
[j(oy) o(f) m(issing) o(ut), modelled on FOMO]
In 2019 we want to ditch the concept of FOMO – fear of missing out. FOMO is JOMO’s evil twin. It makes us do things purely because we feel like we might miss out on something good if we don’t. www.new-leaf.com.au
But you know what? All those yeses meant I missed out on something altogether more important: time for myself. And it turns out I’m not the only one transitioning from an anxious obsession with FOMO into a love of JOMO. www.heraldsun.com.au
hangxiety
noun Colloquial (humorous) a feeling of anxiousness, worry, guilt, etc., experienced the morning after excessive consumption of alcohol.
[blend of HANGOVER and ANXIETY]
When you do have hangxiety, what do you do to get you through those hours of hell? Beyond Blue forum
Don’t be that person at the party. You know the one we’re talking about. Have fun, with no regrets or hangxiety the next day. www.eventbrite.com.au
The remaining three words that make up the colloquial category for the Word of the Year are edgelord, thicc and silver tsunami. You can find the definitions for these words as well as our longlist on our Word of the Year page.
The shortlisted word from this category for 2019 is of course, thicc. This word was also selected by our Committee as one of our three Honourable Mentions, with the illustrious company of eco-anxiety and ngangkari. You can find more information on the shortlist and vote here.
