Merriam Webster Word of the Year 2020: A Deep Dive into "Pandemic"
Alright, guys, let's dive into the fascinating world of linguistics and explore why "pandemic" became the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year 2020. Buckle up, because we're going on a journey through the annals of language, and we've got a lot to cover! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and merriam webster word of the year 2020.
Why "Pandemic"?
So, why did Merriam-Webster choose "pandemic" as their Word of the Year? Well, it's all about looking at the words that capture the zeitgeist - that's a fancy way of saying "the spirit of the times." And in 2020, one word dominated the headlines, our conversations, and our collective consciousness more than any other: pandemic.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Merriam-Webster tracks the number of lookups for each word on their website. And guess who was the most sought-after word of 2020? That's right, pandemic. It saw a huge spike in searches, with a whopping increase of 6,653% from the previous year. That's not a typo, folks - six thousand six hundred and fifty-three percent!
What is a Pandemic?
Before we dive into why "pandemic" was so popular in 2020, let's make sure we're all on the same page. A pandemic is defined as:
> A worldwide spread of a new disease.
In simpler terms, it's when a disease spreads across multiple countries and affects a large number of people. It's like a global outbreak, but on a much larger scale.
The Year of the Pandemic
Now, let's rewind to the beginning of 2020. The world was a different place. We were still talking about New Year's resolutions, planning vacations, and binge-watching our favorite TV shows. But as the months went on, something started to change. A new word began to dominate our conversations, our news feeds, and even our dreams: pandemic.
The Spread of COVID-19
In December 2019, a new coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China. By January 2020, it had started to spread to other countries. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic, and that's when the word really started to take off.
A Word That Defined a Year
From that point on, "pandemic" was everywhere. It was on the news, in our social media feeds, and in our daily conversations. We were all trying to wrap our heads around this new reality, and "pandemic" was the word that helped us make sense of it all.
The Impact of "Pandemic"
The spread of COVID-19, and the subsequent use of "pandemic," had a profound impact on our lives. It changed the way we work, the way we learn, and the way we interact with each other. It forced us to adapt, to innovate, and to find new ways to connect.
A New Normal
We started using phrases like "the new normal" and "the next normal" to describe the world we were living in. We learned about social distancing, flattening the curve, and mask-wearing. We became experts in hand-washing and sanitizing. And through it all, "pandemic" was the word that tied it all together.
A Global Phenomenon
But "pandemic" wasn't just a word that dominated the English language. It was a global phenomenon. We saw it translated into other languages, becoming pandèmia in Spanish, pandémie in French, and パンデミック in Japanese. It was a word that transcended borders and united us all in a shared experience.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2021, we're still dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic. But we're also looking ahead, to a future where we can hopefully put this word to rest. We've learned a lot from this experience, and we've grown stronger and more resilient as a result.
So, there you have it, folks. That's the story behind the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year 2020: "pandemic." It's a word that defined a year, changed our lives, and brought us all a little closer together. Here's to hoping that in 2021, we can look back on this time and say, "Remember when 'pandemic' was the Word of the Year?" And we can all smile, knowing that we've made it through.