Collins Dictionary Names “Brat” 2024 Word of the Year

Context:

Collins Dictionary announced“brat”as its Word of the Year for 2024.

The word, redefined by British singer Charli XCX and popularized through her album of the same name, has come to represent a“confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.”

This reflects a shift from its old meaning to a symbol of bold self-confidence and independence.

This transformation, popularized by singer Charli XCX’s Brat album, resonated worldwide and even influenced Kamala Harris's presidential campaign.

Kamala Harris and Political Adoption:

Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign embraced the “brat” ethos, with Harris herself adopting elements of theBratalbum’s style and even usingCharli XCX’s song “365” in her TikTok posts.

Charli tweeted,“Kamala IS brat,”reinforcing the alignment of the term with bold, independent personalities, which further fueled the term’s momentum.

About collins dictionary word of the year:

The Collins Dictionary Word of the Year is an annual selection that highlights a word or phrase that has gained significant prominence over the year.

The selection is based on extensive data analysis of language usage, reflecting cultural, social, and political trends.

In recent years, the Word of the Year has included terms like "lockdown," reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and "NFT," which emerged as digital assets gained popularity.

The chosen word often encapsulates the zeitgeist, showcasing how language evolves in response to contemporary events and shifts in society.

Each year, the announcement generates discussion about language trends and the ways in which specific words resonate with the public.