Macquarie Dictionary has unveiled its Word of the Year, exposing resentment among Australian consumers over the reliability of technology platforms.
The term ‘enshittification’ was chosen by the dictionary selection committee and the public as Word of the Year 2024.
It was the first time in the contest’s 18-year history that both editors and the public chose the same word.
The term refers to the “gradual deterioration of a service or product caused by a reduction in the quality of the service provided.”
The definition of the word specifically extends to the deterioration of “an online platform as a consequence of the pursuit of profit.”
The dictionary committee said the word “captures what many of us feel is happening in the world and in many aspects of our lives right now.”
Macquarie Dictionary editor-in-chief Victoria Morgan said the word epitomizes how technology company owners manipulate platforms.
He explained that while these subtle changes improve the profitability of these companies, they do not improve service for millions of consumers around the world.
The word “enshittification” was chosen in reference to growing resentment among Australian consumers over the reliability of major technology platforms (file image)
The definition of the word specifically extends to the deterioration of “an online platform as a consequence of the pursuit of profit.”
“All the streaming channels making you pay more to not have ads is the perfect example of enshittification,” Morgan told a radio station. 3AW on Tuesday.
‘It is usually associated with (making money).
“They get a customer base and everyone is very happy, but then (they try) to find a quick way to make money.”
The term was first used by British-Canadian blogger and journalist Cory Doctorow in 2022 to describe how tech platforms are getting worse without proper regulation.
The phrase “brainrot” came in second place, while the Elected Committee also gave honorable mentions to the terms “right to disconnect” or RTD and “rawdogging.”
Brainrot describes low-quality social media content and the “supposed diminished mental capacity” it triggers in those who consume it.
The term RTD was chosen after the federal government introduced new laws in August, giving employees the right not to be contacted after work hours.
The dictionary selection committee, internationally recognized as the standard reference for Australian English, has chosen the phrase ‘cozzie livs’ as the word of the year for 2023.
The colloquial term refers to the cost of living.
Macquarie Dictionary said the word epitomizes how technology company owners manipulate platforms to increase profits. The owner of X, Elon Musk, appears in the photo.
The revelation of Macquarie Dictionary’s word of the year comes after researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) selected ‘Colesworth’ as their word of the year for 2024.
The term, which is a portmanteau of Coles and Woolworths, was chosen in reference to anger at the dominance of the two supermarket giants.
The word is a popular phrase on social media and dozens of Australians are using it to vent about rising food prices at both supermarkets.
Macquarie is one of several dictionaries around the world that publishes the words of the year.
The UK’s Oxford Dictionary is taking online votes of its own, with “brainrot”, “demure”, “dynamic pricing” and “slop” all in the running.