The Word of the Year 2017 has been revealed – but no-one knows what it means…

Oxford Dictionaries have announced the 2017 Word of the Year - but people are baffled by their choice...

The 2017 Word of the Year has been revealed - and it's so unusual, everyone's been left scratching their heads.

The word was announced by Oxford Dictionaries, and despite the fact that most people have never come across it before, it's apparently NOT a new word.

So what is the word, we hear you ask?

Drum roll, please...

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Youthquake!

Heard of it? Nope, us neither.

Youthquake is defined as follows: "A significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people".

But surprisingly, the word Youthquake actually dates back to 1965, when it was coined by Vogue US: "The year’s in its youth, the youth in its year. … More dreamers. More doers. Here. Now. Youthquake 1965."

According to the latest data, its use has increased five times in the past year.

Hmph. Where have we been, then?!

Speaking about the decision to choose 'youthquake' as the Word of the Year, the President of Oxford Dictionaries said: "We chose youthquake based on its evidence and linguistic interest."

He went on to say: "But most importantly for me, at a time when our language is reflecting our deepening unrest and exhausted nerves, it is a rare political word that sounds a hopeful note.

"Sometimes you pick a word as the Word of the Year because you recognise that it has arrived, but other times you pick one that is knocking at the door and you want to help usher it in. This past year calls for a word we can all rally behind."

The Shortlist for Word of the Year 2018

Antifa

A political protest movement comprising autonomous groups affiliated by their militant opposition to fascism and other forms of extreme right-wing ideology

Broflake

A man who is readily upset or offended by progressive attitudes that conflict with his more conventional or conservative views.

Gorpcore

A style of dress incorporating utilitarian clothing of a type worn for outdoor activities.

Kompromat

Compromising information collected for use in blackmailing, discrediting, or manipulating someone, typically for political purposes.

Milkshake Duck

A person or thing that initially inspires delight on social media but is soon revealed to have a distasteful or repugnant past.

Newsjacking

The practice of taking advantage of current events or news stories in such a way as to promote or advertise one’s product or brand.

Unicorn

Denoting something, especially an item of food or drink, that is dyed in rainbow colours, decorated with glitter, etc.

White fragility

Discomfort and defensiveness on the part of a white person when confronted by information about racial inequality and injustice.

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