November 1st 2024.
It's not just a "brat summer" – it might just be a whole year of bratty behavior. According to Collins Dictionary, the word "brat" has been chosen as the word of the year for 2024. They define it as someone who exudes confidence, independence, and a pleasure-seeking attitude. In a statement announcing their decision, the UK-based dictionary publisher stated that "brat" has become more than just a successful album – it has become a cultural phenomenon that has captured the attention of people all over the world. "Brat summer" has also become a popular aesthetic and way of life for many.
This trend has been largely influenced by British singer Charli XCX, who is credited with making "brat" one of the most talked-about words of the year. According to her, a brat is "that girl" who may be a little messy, enjoys partying, and may say some silly things from time to time. In a video on TikTok, she further elaborated, saying that a brat is someone who is unapologetically themselves, even if it means having a breakdown. They are honest, blunt, and a bit volatile – they may do some foolish things, but that's just part of being a brat.
In an interview with the BBC, Charli XCX shared some items that are essential for a "brat girl summer" – a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, and a strappy white top worn without a bra. The color lime green has also become synonymous with the brat aesthetic, and it has been seen everywhere this year, even in the US Vice President Kamala Harris' election campaign. In fact, Charli XCX publicly declared her support for Harris, stating that she is a brat herself. This led to the creation of memes and t-shirts with Harris' name written in the brat style. Even Harris' official rapid response account on Twitter, @kamalahq, adopted a brat-style banner.
Charli XCX explained that she chose the color green for her album to create a contrast – taking something that may be considered disgusting and turning it into something eye-catching. Other words that were shortlisted for the word of the year also owe their popularity to social media. "Delulu," meaning to have unrealistic expectations, and "looksmaxxing," a term used in online male communities to refer to maximizing physical appearance, were among the contenders. The trend of "rawdogging," which means traveling without any form of entertainment, also made the list.
On a more serious note, "anti-tourism" and "supermajority" were also included in the shortlist. Last year, the word "AI" was chosen as the word of the year, highlighting its role in the future of technology. It goes to show how language is constantly evolving, and words that may have seemed obscure or niche can become widely used and recognized, thanks to the power of social media.
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