Linguistic Look Back at 2021

Examining 2021's most used words and what they say about the year.

Curated byAdrian Sherling, Hark Editor

9 CLIPS36 MINS

Clip 1 of 9

Jan 6: Was It a Riot, Insurrection or Revolution?

Lexicographer Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth look at the meanings of words around the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Jan 6: Was It a Riot, Insurrection or Revolution?

Something Rhymes with Purple

4 MINS

Clip 2 of 9

'Vaxx' Is 2021's Word of the Year

"Vaccine" is the Merriam-Webster word of the year. The Oxford English Dictionary chose the shortened “vax”. Peter Sokolowski from Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary’s Fiona McPherson explain their picks.

Slate Debates

3 MINS

Clip 3 of 9

The War Over Critical Race Theory

Thanks largely to one man—Christopher Rufo—critical race theory has dominated the news. The Atlantic’s Adam Harris explains how and why the right has weaponized it.

What Next | Daily News and Analysis

4 MINS

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Fact-Checking Cheugy

The word "cheugy" was the big new word used by Gen-Zs in 2021, according to the New York Times. But was it really?Rachelle and Madison explore.

ICYMI

5 MINS

Clip 5 of 9

The Origin of "Metaverse" Far Predates Facebook

Facebook may be trying to create the “metaverse,” but 'Financial Times' correspondent Madhumita Murgia reveals the term was first coined in a 1992 science fiction novel.

The Origin of "Metaverse" Far Predates Facebook

FT News Briefing

3 MINS

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Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year Is Allyship

Why did Dictionary.com name “allyship” as its word of the year? John Kelly, the site's Associate Director of Content and Education, explains to Alison Stewart.

Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year Is Allyship

All Of It

2 MINS

Clip 7 of 9

How Do You Pronounce Omicron?

The Greek letter omicron has been used more this year than any other because of its connection with Covid. But how exactly do you pronounce it? Ben Zimmer and Nicole Holliday explain.

Slate Debates

4 MINS

Clip 8 of 9

BIPOC: It's the Best Term We’ve Got Right Now

University of Arizona linguist Sonja Lanehart breaks down the complications around the best term we have to encompass Black and Indigenous (and) people of color.

BIPOC: It's the Best Term We’ve Got Right Now

Today, Explained

4 MINS

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The Controversy Around "Latinx"

Should you use the word ‘Latinx’ or not? Joanna Hausmann and Jenny Lorenzo debate the use of a word which has split the Latin community.

Hyphenated with Joanna Hausmann and Jenny Lorenzo

4 MINS

Curated byAdrian Sherling

9 CLIPS36 MINS

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Linguistic Look Back at 2021

Jan 6: Was It a Riot, Insurrection or Revolution?

Something Rhymes with Purple

'Vaxx' Is 2021's Word of the Year

Slate Debates

The War Over Critical Race Theory

What Next | Daily News and Analysis

Fact-Checking Cheugy

ICYMI

The Origin of "Metaverse" Far Predates Facebook

FT News Briefing

Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year Is Allyship

All Of It

How Do You Pronounce Omicron?

Slate Debates

BIPOC: It's the Best Term We’ve Got Right Now

Today, Explained

The Controversy Around "Latinx"

Hyphenated with Joanna Hausmann and Jenny Lorenzo

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