To mark its 90th anniversary, the British Council has today unveiled a collection of 90 influential English words that have come to define the last nine decades.
Renowned etymologist and broadcaster, Susie Dent, will explore and discuss a list of 90 words from the English language curated by Dr. Barbara McGillivray, a leading expert in computational linguistics and digital humanities, to mark the British Council’s 90th year, at the ELTons Festival of Innovation (19-20 November 2024).
The 90-word collection highlights English as a powerful connector of people and cultures, looking at how English responds to the needs of those who use it. From slang and new terms, to changes in words’ meaning, language reflects our evolving world, revealing history and transformation.
It also captures themes central to the British Council’s work, including English language education, the arts and culture, cross-cultural dialogue, and its commitment to building global communities.
The final 90 words, selected through a process which combined computational methods and expert curation, highlight the societal, cultural, technological, political, and environmental developments that have shaped the English language from 1934 to 2024.
The key themes reflected in the list of “90 words” include:
• The rise of global English
• The influence of science and technology on language
• The intersection of entertainment and language
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion
• The impact of COVID-19 on English
• The language we speak, the language we teach
Highlights from the list of 90 words include:
Woke: A new meaning emerging in 2014, woke initially described heightened awareness of social and racial injustices. It began as a positive term, marking an individual's awareness of issues like race and discrimination. With increasing political polarisation, however, woke gained a negative connotation and is now often used pejoratively to describe views seen as overly liberal.
Edgelord: First used as a noun in 2013, edgelord refers to someone who adopts a provocative persona to provoke reactions, typically online. Popularised by Stephen Colbert, the term reflects internet culture’s embrace of shocking content for attention. Now a staple of online slang, it captures the digital era’s fascination with controversy and extremism.
Karaoke: First appearing in English in 1977, karaoke means "empty orchestra" in Japanese. Originating as a musical pastime in Japan, it quickly spread internationally and became a global phenomenon. It was first introduced in English by the Japan Times, describing this emerging trend in Japanese society, which later gained popularity in the West.
Situationship: Popularised in 2017, situationship describes a relationship that’s more than a friendship but not quite a committed couple, reflecting modern dating influenced by apps. Coined by journalist Carina Hsieh in Cosmopolitan, the term gained traction as dating apps rose in importance. Shortlisted for OED’s 2023 Word of the Year, situationship gained validation as a relationship status by Tinder in 2022 and saw a surge in usage on TikTok, highlighting its relevance and controversy in today’s dating culture.
Virus: From its Latin roots meaning "poison" or "slime”, virus was initially used in medical science to describe infectious agents. By the 1950s, it commonly referred to infections rather than the bacteria itself. Later, the term was adopted in computer science to describe malicious software. This evolution reflects the word’s shift from medical terminology to digital technology.
Artificial Intelligence: First used in 1955, artificial intelligence reflected early ambitions for machine intelligence, inspired by Alan Turing's work. Initially a product of 1950s research, AI has since evolved, shaping global technology and daily life. Its development was partly an extension of Turing's pioneering work in the previous decade.
Deepfake: The term deepfake was first coined in a Reddit post in 2017, referring to manipulated images or videos designed to deceive viewers into thinking they're real. Originating from advancements in Artificial Intelligence, it quickly became one of the first AI-related terms to enter the public domain, gaining significant attention even before the recent AI boom. As AI tools became more advanced, deepfake highlighted pressing concerns about misinformation and the ethics of digital media, becoming a buzzword in discussions about media manipulation and authenticity in the digital age.
Rizz: First used in 2023, rizz refers to charm or attractiveness, particularly in dating, and is derived from charisma. The term gained popularity in 2022 through gaming and internet culture, largely due to YouTuber and Twitch streamer Kai Cenat. Rizz follows a common word formation pattern, like flu from influenza and fridge from refrigerator. Its rise, fuelled by TikTok and social media, highlights how internet culture shapes modern youth language.
Staycation: A blend of stay and vacation, staycation was first used in 1944 to describe home-based holidays. Its resurgence reflects changing travel habits and a growing appreciation for local leisure. The term is formed by blending the verb stay and the noun vacation, with the earliest evidence found in the 1944 Cincinnati Post.
Doom scrolling: Coined just four years ago in 2020, doomscroll describes the act of endlessly scrolling through distressing news or social media, despite it leaving you anxious, sad, or downright exhausted. It’s the digital equivalent of watching a train wreck, but you can’t look away.
Susie Dent, renowned etymologist and broadcaster said: “To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the British Council, we will be exploring 90 words that have come to define the last 9 decades.
“Distilling the preoccupations and events of their time and highlighting the changes to our world, its increasing interconnectedness, and the latest slang popularised by new generations. In every case, we will see the versatility of English in catering to our needs.”
Michael Connolly, Director English and School Education at the British Council said: “This collection of 90 words is a fantastic way to celebrate the British Council’s 90th anniversary, reflecting our commitment to deepening global understanding of the English language.
“People remain deeply fascinated by language, which isn’t just a means of communication but a way to reflect what matters to us as a society at any given time.
“We hope to spark a wider conversation about how shifts in culture and communication drive changes in the English language. I’m excited to watch the session at the ELTons Festival of Innovation.”
Dr. Barbara McGillivray, leading expert in computational linguistics and digital humanities said: "I’m always amazed at how language evolves with the times. 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.
“Take e-book or doomscroll: these words capture how much tech has changed our lives. But it’s not just tech driving language. Social and cultural changes are just as fascinating. Words like intersectionality and glass ceiling reflect important conversations about equity and representation, shaping change as much as describing it.
“I’m excited to reveal these language trends at the ELTons Festival of Innovation, showcasing how language evolves and celebrating the future of English language teaching.”
The full list of 90 words can be found here.
For 90 years, the British Council has built global connections through the arts, education, and English language. We provide English teaching in 40 countries, support over 100 million learners and 4 million teachers annually online, and deliver 4 million exams in 140 countries, enabling access to UK qualifications. In partnership with governments, we aim to improve English teaching and empower learners worldwide with skills for global opportunities.
Interested attendees can register now to join the ELTons Festival of Innovation using this link here. The festival is a celebration of excellence and innovation in English language teaching. It offers a glimpse into pioneering trends in English language teaching, with awards, expert insights, and opportunities to connect with global innovators.