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Dictionary.com Names ‘Demure’ as Its Word of the Year for 2024

BBG News

As a transgender woman who has navigated through the complexities and nuances of the digital world, I find the choice of “demure” as the Word of the Year by Dictionary.com to be not only significant but also empowering. The journey toward self-acceptance and affirmation is often a quiet one, filled with moments of reservedness and modesty.

The well-known online dictionary resource Dictionary.com has declared their Word of the Year for this term, and they’ve made a thoughtfully selected pick.

2024’s chosen Word of the Year is the trending term “demure,” which gained traction on TikTok in August. This term was widely used after it was promoted by TikToker Jools Lebron, whose phrase “very demure, very mindful” became viral and was imitated by other content creators. Lebron also frequently combined the word with “cute” and “thoughtful,” offering advice to her followers on how to behave in a demure, modest, and respectful manner at workplaces.

From January to September of the current year, Dictionary.com reports an astonishing 1200% rise in the use of “Demure” within digital media platforms. Additionally, this term was searched approximately 200 times more frequently on Dictionary.com compared to previous periods.

In simpler terms, Dictionary.com describes “demure” as having qualities of shyness and modesty, or being reserved. However, the term has gained new popularity online, leading to its application in various scenarios like commuting or enjoying a donut. The word’s evolution signifies that what was once linked with submissiveness and reserve can now serve as a means for individuals to showcase “quiet confidence,” according to Dictionary.com’s announcement.

In these “modest” videos, Lebron utilized her newfound fame to fund the remainder of her transition and gender-affirming care. She shared this with her audience in a video. Similarly, many other creators who took part in the trend were transgender women, encouraging their followers to be considerate and act in a reserved manner.

In addition to selecting their Word of the Year, Dictionary.com unveiled a list of nominees as well, featuring terms like Brainrot, Brat, Extreme Weather, Midwest Nice, and Weird.

Dictionary.com highlighted that their selection of “demure” signifies a change in societal trends, as our common language evolves to prioritize personal image and appearance, given the increasing return of face-to-face interactions following the COVID-19 pandemic’s isolation focus.

Previously, the platform selected “hallucination” as its Word of the Year, emphasizing its relevance to artificial intelligence. However, this time around, their preferred terms appear to be trending internet buzzwords.

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2024-11-25 20:06

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