So, we could ascertain by following M-W's reasoning for words being looked up that 2010 was a year filled with stories aplenty about worthless money, priceless values, and delays instigated by correct legal procedure. Well, it would appear that the keepers of the general lexicon do have this down to a science.
"Austerity clearly resonates with many people," said Mr. Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster. Mr. Sokolowski monitors online dictionary searches. "We often hear it used in the context of government measures, but we also apply it to our own personal finances and what is sometimes called the 'new normal'."
"Pragmatic" and "moratorium" were second and third on the list for 2010. Merriam-Webster says that America's mood and interests are gauged by the volume of user lookups on M-W.com in response to words read or heard most often from news stories and current events.
"In a way, the popularity of 'pragmatic' is reminiscent of 2005, when 'integrity' was the most frequently looked-up word," said John M. Morse, president and publisher of Merriam-Webster. "In both cases, I think the word described a quality that people value highly, want to understand fully, and are looking for in their leaders."
So, in applying M-W's theory that its yearly list measures the current mood of America, my picks for top words making it in 2011 are "irenic" and "prosperity."
Merriam-Webster's Top Ten Words of the Year for 2010
1. Austerity
2. Pragmatic
3. Moratorium
4. Socialism
5. Bigot
6. Doppelganger
7. Shellacking
8. Ebullient
9. Dissident
10. Furtive
Source: Merriam-Webster Inc.
