Top 10 Collins Words of the Year

‘Binge-watch’ has been named Collins Word of the Year 2015 thanks to a dramatic increase in usage. Here’s the words that made the top 10 list:

Binge-watch
To watch a large number of television programmes (especially all the shows from one series) in succession

Dadbod
An untoned and slightly plump male physique, esp one considered attractive

Shaming
The act or practice of attempting to embarrass a person or group by drawing attention to their perceived offence, esp on social media

Corbynomics
The economic policies advocated by Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UK Labour Party from 2015

Clean eating
The practice of following a diet that contains only natural foods, and is low in sugar, salt, and fat

Ghosting
The act or an instance of ending a romantic relationship by not responding to attempts to communicate by the other party

Swipe
To move a finger across a touchscreen on an electronic device as a means of inputting a command

Contactless
Referring to payment systems which use RFID technology and do not require the customer’s signature or pin number

Manspreading
The practice by a male passenger on public transport of sitting with his legs wide apart, so denying space to passengers beside him

Transgender
Of or relating to a person whose gender identity does not fully correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth

Other Articles

15 words & phrases to get the Eurovision party started

Are you ready for Eurovision? An annual celebration of music, culture and questionable fashion choices, the Eurovision Song Contest is a live broadcast international song competition in which members of the European Broadcasting Union – plus Australia! –  compete each year. Since its establishment in 1956,… Read More

The Coronation: God Save King Charles!

As mentioned in my coronation post earlier this week, the coronation ceremony is hallowed by time. Edgar was the earliest English king to be crowned, at Bath Abbey in 973; Robert the Bruce was hastily crowned King of Scots at Scone (rhymes with ‘spoon’) in 1306… Read More

The Coronation: God Save the King!

On 6 May 2023 Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor will be crowned King Charles III in a coronation ceremony dating back, if not to time immemorial, at least ten centuries. Just to be absolutely clear, Charles is of course already King, for the Crown knows no… Read More