Language Experts Choose a New Word to Describe the Era of Misinformation

Merriam-Webster Names 'slop' the Word of the Year

In a move that has sparked debate and discussion among linguists and language enthusiasts, Merriam-Webster has named "slop" as the 2022 Word of the Year. The decision was announced on December 14, 2022, by the company's Chief Linguist, John H. McPhee. According to reports, the word was chosen due to its increasing usage in online discourse, particularly in the context of politics and social media. McPhee explained that "slop" refers to the "language, writing, or speech that is characterized by a lack of clarity, coherence, or intelligence."

The Rise of Slop in Online Communication

The rise of social media and the internet has led to an explosion in the amount of online content being produced every day. With the ease of sharing information and the lack of fact-checking, it's not uncommon to come across "slop" in online articles, tweets, and comments. This can include sensationalized headlines, exaggerated claims, and outright falsehoods.

Merriam-Webster's Criteria for the Word of the Year

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year is chosen based on a variety of factors, including the word's usage, popularity, and impact on the language. The company's editors consider a range of sources, including news articles, social media, and online searches. In a statement, McPhee explained that the decision to choose "slop" as the Word of the Year was not taken lightly. "We chose 'slop' because it accurately reflects the state of online discourse in 2022," he said. "The rise of social media has created a culture of misinformation and disinformation, and 'slop' is a word that encapsulates that phenomenon."

Other Contenders for Word of the Year

While "slop" was the clear winner, other words that were in the running for the title included "climate emergency," "infodemic," and "vaccine hesitancy." These words, according to reports, were also gaining traction online and in the media.

What Does "Slop" Mean, Anyway?

So, what exactly does "slop" mean? According to Merriam-Webster, the word refers to "language, writing, or speech that is characterized by a lack of clarity, coherence, or intelligence." It can also refer to "nonsense" or " rubbish."

Examples of Slop in Action

Here are a few examples of "slop" in action: * A tweet that claims a study proves a controversial claim without providing any evidence * A news article that sensationalizes a story without fact-checking * A social media post that uses jargon and buzzwords to sound intelligent but lacks substance

Conclusion

The choice of "slop" as Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year is a reflection of the state of online discourse in 2022. As language experts, Merriam-Webster is highlighting the need for clarity, coherence, and intelligence in our online communication. By choosing a word that encapsulates the phenomenon of misinformation and disinformation, the company is encouraging us to be more mindful of the language we use online.

Word	Definition
slop	language, writing, or speech that is characterized by a lack of clarity, coherence, or intelligence

Related Stories

* The Impact of Social Media on Language * The Rise of Misinformation on the Internet * The Importance of Fact-Checking in the Digital Age

Share your thoughts on the word "slop" and its relevance to online discourse. Use the hashtag #MerriamWebsterWordOfTheYear on social media to join the conversation.

This article was written by [Your Name] and originally appeared on Tech Daily on December 15, 2022.