British singer Charli XCX’s coined term “brat” has been crowned as the Collins Word of the Year for 2024. The musician, known offstage as Charlotte Aitchison, gained widespread attention on TikTok earlier in the year with her album titled “Brat”. What started as a trend on social media soon evolved into a lifestyle movement encapsulating confidence, independence, and hedonism. The term ‘brat’ now symbolises a bold and self-assured attitude and swiftly became the defining aesthetic trend of the summer season, standing in contrast with the previous ‘clean girl’ trend centred around yoga and minimalism.
Collins Dictionary’s experts revealed that ‘brat’ claimed the top spot after analysing various media outlets and social platforms, acknowledging its significant impact in 2024. They described it as one of the most talked-about words of the year, reflecting the influence of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. In addition to ‘brat’, other notable terms included ‘era’, inspired by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, defining a period of distinctive character in one’s life or career. The list also featured words like ‘yapping’ and ‘delulu’, highlighting trivial chatter and unrealistic beliefs, respectively.
Furthermore, the term ‘rawdogging’, originating from a TikTok trend where individuals share videos of staring blankly during long flights, was also recognised. Alex Beecroft, the managing director of Collins, expressed that the Word of the Year list for 2024 primarily catered to the preferences of younger generations, making it the most ‘brat’ list ever. The lexicographers at Collins Dictionary meticulously monitor a massive database of 20 billion words to curate an annual list that mirrors the evolving language and interests of modern society.
Meanwhile, the impact of female musicians on popular culture was evident in the emergence of terms like ‘era’, signifying significant periods in an artist’s career, as popularised by Taylor Swift. As language evolves, new words reflecting societal trends and influences take centre stage, illustrating the dynamic nature of communication. With words like ‘brat’ and ‘era’ shaping conversations and narratives, it underscores the intersection of music, social media, and cultural movements in contemporary lexicon.
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(Source: Wales Online – walesonline.co.uk)
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