The year is coming to a close, and now is the time that networks put together the most newsworthy stories of the year, report on the movies, books, and people of the year, and basically summarize the best and worst that has happened over the last 365 days.
In the world of lexicology, makers of dictionaries decide on their word of the year.
For 2025, Merriam-Webster chose “slop” — “the digital content of low quality, often AI-generated, that floods screens with junk, fake news, and absurd visuals.” They chose this word because it “reflects the pervasive, annoying, yet sometimes consumed, look of AI-produced digital noise.”
Oxford University press chose “Rage Bait”— “Content designed to provoke anger or outrage for traffic and engagement” because over 30,000 people voted for it “to highlight online frustration.”
dictionary.com chose “Agentic”— and Collins Dictionary “Vibe Coding” both dealing with AI’s growing influence in our lives.
Though the last two may sound innocuous, the first two definitely convey frustration and anger.
What a way to end 2025. And no way to enter 2026.
God never intended words to be reactive but rather proactive and productive. After all, he spoke the world into existence with the Word, and, as we learn in John 1:1, that Word was Jesus.
Throughout the Bible we are reminded of the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) and that our words should be wholesome and used for good (Ephesians 4:29)..
My sister is creating journals to help people achieve their goals for the year and an important step is to select a word of the year. This word will provide a foundation for their goal, remind them of the direction they want to go, ground them, and motivate them.
Remember words do have power.
As you enter 2026, why don’t you select one word that you would like to hang your hat on this year. One word that encapsulates what you most want to accomplish this year, whether that be physically, financially, spiritually, or any other area of your life—a word that will both encourage you and realign you when you lose your focus.
Happy New Year and happy choosing.
In the world of lexicology, makers of dictionaries decide on their word of the year.
For 2025, Merriam-Webster chose “slop” — “the digital content of low quality, often AI-generated, that floods screens with junk, fake news, and absurd visuals.” They chose this word because it “reflects the pervasive, annoying, yet sometimes consumed, look of AI-produced digital noise.”
Oxford University press chose “Rage Bait”— “Content designed to provoke anger or outrage for traffic and engagement” because over 30,000 people voted for it “to highlight online frustration.”
dictionary.com chose “Agentic”— and Collins Dictionary “Vibe Coding” both dealing with AI’s growing influence in our lives.
Though the last two may sound innocuous, the first two definitely convey frustration and anger.
What a way to end 2025. And no way to enter 2026.
God never intended words to be reactive but rather proactive and productive. After all, he spoke the world into existence with the Word, and, as we learn in John 1:1, that Word was Jesus.
Throughout the Bible we are reminded of the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21) and that our words should be wholesome and used for good (Ephesians 4:29)..
My sister is creating journals to help people achieve their goals for the year and an important step is to select a word of the year. This word will provide a foundation for their goal, remind them of the direction they want to go, ground them, and motivate them.
Remember words do have power.
As you enter 2026, why don’t you select one word that you would like to hang your hat on this year. One word that encapsulates what you most want to accomplish this year, whether that be physically, financially, spiritually, or any other area of your life—a word that will both encourage you and realign you when you lose your focus.
Happy New Year and happy choosing.
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