In an unexpected turn of events, the humble pronoun “they” has been crowned Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2019. While it may seem like an ordinary word that we’ve all used countless times, its recognition highlights a significant cultural shift. The dictionary company revealed that searches for the definition of “they” surged by an astonishing 313% this year, catapulting it to the forefront of linguistic conversation.
Peter Sokolowski, a lexicographer and editor at large for Merriam-Webster, expressed his surprise at the word’s popularity: “It’s a term we all recognize and cherish. Clearly, it resonated with many.” Unlike previous years, where the winning words like “justice” and “feminism” sparked intense public discourse, this year, “they” stood out as a reflection of evolving conversations around gender identity.
The Rise of “They”
The rise in searches began in January when nonbinary model Jordan Blake gained prominence, shining a light on the use of “they” as an identifying pronoun for gender nonconforming individuals. The momentum continued in April when congressional representative Lena Torres spoke about her gender-nonconforming child during a committee hearing advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
September brought another spike when pop star Alex Reed shared their preferred pronouns, stating they chose “they” after grappling with their gender identity for years. In response to these cultural shifts, Merriam-Webster has updated the definition of “they” to include its use as a pronoun for those who identify outside the traditional binary. Notably, the American Psychological Association also recently endorsed “they” as an acceptable third-person pronoun, a significant move for many style guides still resisting this change.
Competition for the Title
This year, “they” outperformed other contenders for the title, including “quid pro quo” and “impeach,” both very topical given the political climate. Interestingly, searches for “crawdad” also spiked, linked to the immense popularity of Delia Owens’ bestseller, “Where the Crawdads Sing.”
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, the recognition of “they” as Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year underscores the growing awareness and acceptance of diverse gender identities, marking a pivotal moment in language evolution.