Most used words in 2013
The Global Language Monitor has revealed which English words and phrases were most used across the globe in 2013.
The Global Language Monitor (GLM) word and phrase of the year is determined through statistical analysis of English language use in world-wide print and digital media (including sites, blogs and social media).
The error code for missing Internet pages – 404 – tops the list for most used word, followed by “fail” (typically signifying failure of epic proportions) and “hashtag”, the prolific Twitter tag.
Other popular terms used by English speakers across the world include “@Pontifex” – the Twitter handle for the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and a number of words affiliated with the massive NSA spy scandal which broke during the course of the year.
Tech-related words that topped the list were the prefix “nano”, the 12th most used word, while Internet “memes” proved popular in 2013, being the 16th most used word this year – but down from 5th in 2012.
“Cloud”, as in “the cloud”, was the 18th most used word, according to GLM, also slipping as a buzzword from 7th position in 2012.
10 most used words in 2013
| # | 2012 Word |
2013 Word |
| 1 | Apocalypse | 404 |
| 2 | Deficit | Fail |
| 3 | Olympiad | Hashtag |
| 4 | Baktun | @Pontifex |
| 5 | Meme | The Optic |
| 6 | MOOC | Surveillance |
| 7 | The Cloud | Drones |
| 8 | Omnishambles | Deficit |
| 9 | Frankenstorm | Sequestration |
| 10 | Obesogenic | Emancipate |
In 2013, the world was in a general spot of negativity if the most used phrases are anything to go by: American politics took centre stage with “toxic politics” taking the top spot of most used phrases, followed by “federal shutdown” and more concerns over “global warming”.
Other references to terrorism and war, such as “Boston strong” – in response to the Boston “marathon bombing” which also featured – “chemical weapons”, “rogue nukes” and the “Arab Spring” were all top-used phrases in the year.
In terms of technology, only “Big data” makes the list, in 14th position.
10 most used phrases in 2013
| # | 2012 Phrase | 2013 Phrase |
| 1 | Gangnam Style | Toxic Politics |
| 2 | Global Warming | Federal Shutdown |
| 3 | Fiscal Cliff | Global Warming |
| 4 | The Deficit | Federal Deficit |
| 5 | God Particle | Tread Lightly |
| 6 | Rogue Nukes | Boston Strong |
| 7 | Near-Earth Asteroid | Marathon Bombing |
| 8 | Binders Full of Women | Chemical Weapons |
| 9 | Arab Spring | All Time High |
| 10 | Solar Max | Rogue Nukes |
According to the GLM, Pope Francis was the most used person or organization name, while the US national health plan, dubbed “ObamaCare” followed.
“NSA” and “Edward Snowden” – at the centre of the massive global surveillance and spying scandal – were also widely used (3rd and 4th), while “Kate Middleton”, Dutchess of Cambridge, rounded off the top 5, thanks to the birth of her son, Prince George.
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