Beating off competition from the likes of "Kyiv," "sportswashing" and "partygate," the term "permacrisis" was on Tuesday named as Britain's "word of the year" in recognition of a dismal 2022.
The annual list compiled by Collins Dictionary defined the word as "an extended period of instability and insecurity."
Its entry into common usage reflected upheaval caused by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, severe weather, the war in Ukraine, political turmoil and a cost-of-living crisis. "Permacrisis sums up quite succinctly just how truly awful 2022 has been for many people," said Collins Learning Managing Director Alex Beecroft.
The arrival of Kyiv as the preferred variant to the Russian spelling of "Kiev" pointed to Britain's support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, "partygate" was one of the many scandals that brought down former prime minister Boris Johnson.
Britain is now on its third prime minister of 2022 - and also has a new monarch in King Charles III.
Derived from the Latin for Charles, the term "Carolean" entered the Collins list after his mother Queen Elizabeth II's death in September.
Among other phrases on the list was "warm bank" - a place such as a library or place of worship where cash-strapped Britons struggling to pay soaring energy bills can go to find heating.
Another was "quiet quitting" - defined as doing the bare minimum at work, either as a protest against your employer or to improve your work-life balance.
The Collins word of the year in 2021 was "NFT" - non-fungible token.
In 2020, it was "lockdown."
The annual list compiled by Collins Dictionary defined the word as "an extended period of instability and insecurity."
Its entry into common usage reflected upheaval caused by Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, severe weather, the war in Ukraine, political turmoil and a cost-of-living crisis. "Permacrisis sums up quite succinctly just how truly awful 2022 has been for many people," said Collins Learning Managing Director Alex Beecroft.
The arrival of Kyiv as the preferred variant to the Russian spelling of "Kiev" pointed to Britain's support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, "partygate" was one of the many scandals that brought down former prime minister Boris Johnson.
Britain is now on its third prime minister of 2022 - and also has a new monarch in King Charles III.
Derived from the Latin for Charles, the term "Carolean" entered the Collins list after his mother Queen Elizabeth II's death in September.
Among other phrases on the list was "warm bank" - a place such as a library or place of worship where cash-strapped Britons struggling to pay soaring energy bills can go to find heating.
Another was "quiet quitting" - defined as doing the bare minimum at work, either as a protest against your employer or to improve your work-life balance.
The Collins word of the year in 2021 was "NFT" - non-fungible token.
In 2020, it was "lockdown."
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