The Oxford English Dictionary was far from the first attempt to catalog the English language, but in its conception and practice it is, in this amateur lexicographer’s opinion, the most comprehensive attempt to track down our wonderfully writhing language. It continues to be an attempt. Over the last few decades, one of the tricks Oxford University Press has deployed to maintain interest in his OED project is to declare him “Word of the Year.” I went to “Selfie” and in 2015 to “Emoji Tears of Joy”.
Both of these were chosen by lexicographers contributing to the OED, but this year saw a change. It is the first Oxford word of the year to be decided by popular vote, based on a shortlist produced by the OED.
won by an overwhelming margin “Goblin Mode” (opens in new tab), against “metaverse” and “#IStandWith”, garnering 318.956 votes, or 93% of the total votes cast. “Metaverse” got him 14,484 votes and “#IStandWith” he got 8,639 votes.
Now, here comes the good stuff. The OED describes “Goblin Mode” as follows:
“‘Goblin mode’ – a slang term often used to describe ‘in goblin mode’ or ‘go into goblin mode’ – is ‘generally a way of rejecting social norms and expectations.’”
that’s what i’m talking about. The OED believes the term went viral on social media this year after first appearing on her Twitter in 2009 thanks to Julia Fox’s mocked-up headline. Lexicographers speculate that easing lockdown restrictions and people taking more adventures may have contributed to the word’s popularity.
“The general mood of people rejecting the idea of returning to ‘normal life’ or rebelling against increasingly unattainable aesthetic standards and unsustainable lifestyles presented on social media. We seem to have caught it,” reads the award citation. Amen.
Some examples of how the terms are used are given. From Guardian (opens in new tab): “Goblin mode is like waking up at 2am, wearing nothing but a long t-shirt, shuffling to the kitchen and making weird snacks. Sortine with cheese on top.” Meanwhile, the Times of London is even more nervous (opens in new tab)laments that “many of us … fell into ‘goblin mode’ in response to a difficult year.”
The OED cites PC Gamer and our recent article. “Minor differences aside, we have to vote for ‘Goblin Mode’ over ‘Metaverse’ as Oxford’s word of the year.” (opens in new tab)continued to explain its “Goblin Mode Rules”.
Casper Glasswall, president of Oxford Languages, said: “While we hoped the public would enjoy participating in this process, this level of involvement in the campaign was completely surprising. “Given the year we’ve just been through, ‘Goblin Mode’ resonates with all of us who are feeling a little overwhelmed at this point.” Display it on Instagram and his TikTok feed.
“People are embracing their inner goblin, and voters who chose ‘Goblin Mode’ as their word of the year show that this concept is likely to take hold.”
