Merriam-Webster announced its top ten list of most looked-up words for the year 2010 stealing the thunder from LinkedIn which issued its list of most overused buzzwords just three days ago.
Topping the MW list is austerity, which the dictionary defines as “enforced or extreme economy.”
Lookups for the word remained strong all year, a trend that Merriam-Webster, Inc. hypothesized was tied to the U.S. economy and debt crises in Europe. Editor at Large for Merriam-Webster, Peter Sokolowski, said, “We often hear it (austerity) used in the context of government measures, but we also apply it to our own personal finances and what is sometimes called the new normal.”Number two on the list is pragmatic which the company said rose steadily throughout the year. Other words included:
3. moratorium
4. socialism
5. bigot
6. doppelganger
7. shellacking
8. ebullient
9. dissident
10. furtive
Curious about previous word lists? Visit the Word of the Year Archive.
What were LinkedIn members’ most overused words and phrases?
1. Dynamic2. Innovative3. Extensive experience4. Team player5. Motivated6. Proactive7. Proven track record8. Value add9. Skill set10. Out-of-the-box
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