Babysitter, gay, Barbiecore, and more: 90 words that define last nine decades

The British Council released a list of 90 influential words on Wednesday, marking the 90th anniversary of the UK's global cultural organization. The words, including "babysitter," "gay," "artificial intelligence," "woke," "edgelord," and "Barbiecore," highlight the way language has evolved over the past nine decades, reflecting societal, cultural, and technological changes.

Curated by Dr. Barbara McGillivray

As per a PTI report, Dr. Barbara McGillivray, an expert in computational linguistics and digital humanities, curated the list. She explained that the collection explores how English has adapted to meet the needs of people around the world. "I'm always amazed at how language evolves with the times," McGillivray said in a statement. "While compiling 90 new words and meanings for the British Council's 90th anniversary, I was struck by how profoundly technology reshapes communication and how fast these changes happen."

The words in the list were selected through a combination of computational methods and expert curation, focusing on societal, cultural, technological, political, and environmental developments that have shaped the English language from 1934 to 2024. The key themes include the global spread of English, the impact of science and technology, the influence of entertainment, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Language in the 1930s: Reflecting Societal Shifts

The 1930s introduced words like "babysitter," reflecting changing family roles, "evacuate," echoing wartime impact, and "nylon," marking advancements in materials. The word "gay" began to take on a new meaning related to identity, while "jukebox" highlighted the influence of African American music.

The 1940s: War and New Lifestyles

In the 1940s, the rise of war and new lifestyles brought terms like "nuclear," "bikini," "blockbuster," "vegan," "staycation," and "cool" into common use. The 1950s saw the emergence of words like "disco" and "rock'n'roll," reflecting the music scene of the time. The term "artificial intelligence" also gained traction, reflecting technological progress.

The 1960s and 70s: Cultural and Social Shifts

The 1960s saw words like "baby boomer," "Bollywood," and "hippie" reflecting cultural transformations, while the 1970s introduced terms like "app," "virus," and music-related words like "punk," "hip hop," and "karaoke."

McGillivray noted, "This collection of 90 words is more than a celebration of language, it's a testament to how English evolves alongside us, capturing the spirit of each era and generation."

The 1980s and 1990s: Rise of Technology

The 1980s marked the arrival of the digital age, with words like "cell phone," "virtual," "e-book," and "hacking" becoming part of the everyday vocabulary. The 1990s continued this trend with words like "web," "Google," "emoji," "carbon footprint," and "blog," capturing the rise of the internet and digital communication.

The 2000s: Social Media and New Cultural Trends

In the 2000s, terms like "hashtag," "selfie," and "crowdfunding" reflected social media culture and new ways of interacting, while "Nollywood" celebrated global cinema and "mansplain" addressed gender issues.

The 2010s: Digital Deception and Evolving Social Norms

The 2010s saw the introduction of words like "catfish," "deepfake," "ghosting," and "situationship," reflecting digital deception and evolving social dynamics. Words like "woke" and "forever chemicals" signaled a growing awareness of social justice and environmental concerns.

The 2020s: Pop Culture, Pandemic, and Digital Life

The 2020s introduced words that reflect pop culture, the pandemic, and digital life. "Barbiecore" and "bubble" captured trends in fashion and aesthetics, while "doomscroll" described digital anxiety. "Rizz," a slang term for flirting, showed how dating language has evolved.

Gauri Puranik, head of English programs in India for the British Council, emphasized the importance of language in fostering global understanding. "Language is more than a tool for communication, it's a powerful force that connects people, reflects cultures, and drives change," she said. The list serves as a reminder of how language adapts and reflects the times we live in.

Inputs from PTI