With the Ukraine war, the cost-of-living crisis and political unrest, he said the word “very succinctly sums up how truly awful 2022 has been for so many people”. Last year’s word of the year was NFT (non-fungible token). Six of the 10 words for 2022 are new to the Collins Dictionary and include partygate – the infamous Downing Street scandal and the warm bank – a library-like public building where people who can’t afford heating go to keep warm. For those who are disillusioned with their jobs, quiet resignation may be an option. It’s another new addition and refers to doing only one’s most basic tasks as a way of protesting or to improve work/life balance. A business with disgruntled staff may also seek a change of atmosphere – a “significant change in the prevailing atmosphere or culture”. And with King Charles having succeeded the Queen, Caroline – signifying the age of the new monarch – is also on the list. Sportwashing comes after increased usage this year ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar and major events taking place in countries such as Saudi Arabia. It refers to the organization of sporting events or even the ownership of teams, to distract attention from controversial policies or activities. Image: Qatar has been accused of sports washing to cover up human rights concerns. Photo: AP Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has been added to the Collins dictionary, as has splooting – the phenomenon in which animals spread their limbs to cool off in the heat. Lawfare is another new addition and refers to the “strategic use of legal processes to intimidate or hinder an adversary.” Alex Beecroft, CEO of Collins Learning, said: “It is understandable that people may feel, after living through the turmoil caused by Brexit, the pandemic, bad weather, the war in Ukraine, political instability , energy pressure and the cost of living crisis. , that we live in a constant state of uncertainty and worry; permacrisis very succinctly sums up how truly awful 2022 has been for many people. “Our list this year reflects the state of the world at the moment – not much good news, although, with the determination of the Ukrainian people reflected by the accession of Kiev and the dawn of a new era of Carolus in the UK, there are rays of of hope”.
