Word of the year 2007
Written by SimonC
Here is your chance to vote for the word of the year in 2007 (link) courtesy of the Australian National Online Dictionary. Its fun looking at the terms that are suggested, but it also offers an interesting insight into the global Zeitgeist.
Here are some of my favourites:
flog – a blog which is contrived for marketing purposes. [f(ake) + (b)log]
lifecasting – live broadcasting on the internet on a personal web channel of one’s daily activities videoed on a webcam. [life + (broad)cast + -ing]
lamestream – the traditional media providing news and entertainment, viewed as lacking the originality and daring of the blogosphere.
advergaming – the marketing strategy of using video games in which products, brands, logos, etc., are placed in the game context to build familiarity with them. [adver(tising) + (video) gaming]
infomania – the tendency to give immediate attention to incoming messages such as email, text messages, etc., resulting in constant distraction and a corresponding drop in the recipient’s attention levels and work performance. [info(rmation) + -mania]
–infomaniac, noun –infomaniacal, adjective
The picture that is painted by these words is one of sophisticated people with online lives, broadcasting themselves continually, living just-in-time lives, yet with a savvy understanding to see through the marketing tactics that are used to gain their attention. As an infomaniac, it has given me plenty of food for thought, and made me realise how many companies are lamestream today.
There is still time to vote for your favourite word so mosey on over to the Macquarie dictionary and cast your vote.