As the first month of 2015 is about to end, it is time to look back and see which word gained popularity in 2014 and was announced as ‘Word of the Year’ by Oxford Dictionary. So, without further ado, the word of the year 2014 is ….
“Vape”
Meaning
The word originated as an abbreviation of ‘vaporize’ or ‘vapor.’ According to OxfordDictionaries.com, the verb means “to inhale or exhale the vapour produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device”
Why was ‘Vape’ Chosen?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have become very common, due to which, vape has grown significantly in popularity. In fact, the usage of the word has more than doubled in the past year. The word gained popularity in April 2014 when the UK’s first ‘vape café’ (The Vape Lab in Shoreditch, London) opened. In the same month, the issues of vaping were discussed in popular newspapers including The Washington Post, and The Telegraph, among others.
More about the Word
The word is so interesting that it also works as the modifier for other nouns, creating new compound nouns. The most common of these include –
– Vape pen
– Vape shop
– Vape juice
– Vape fluid
– Vape lounge
The Competitors
Although, vape made it to the list, here is a list of other words that came close but could not get the title ‘Oxford Word of the Year.’
- Bae: The word is used as a term of flattery for one’s romantic partner.
- Budtender: Someone who serves customers in a cannabis dispensary.
- Contactless: type of technologies that allow a smart card, phone, and mobile to contact wirelessly to an e-reader.
What do you think of this new addition? Let us know in the comments’ section. For English translation or any other language translation service, dial 888-670-3369.