German Publisher Seeks New "Youth Word of the Year"
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Stuttgart-based publisher Langenscheidt has launched a hunt for the next "Youth Word of the Year". The competition, aimed at young people aged 11 to 20, is now open for online submissions.
The publisher is seeking expressions that have found their way into the everyday language of youth, and the competition is not limited to German words. Terms from English, Turkish, or Arabic have previously appeared in the top 10, provided they have widespread use.
Langenscheidt, which initiated this tradition in 2008, is known for its engaging results, ranging from humorous to somewhat peculiar. The first winner was "rotten meat party", a term for parties attended by people under 30. This was followed by "chill" - to do absolutely nothing, and "Niveaulimbo" - for superficial conversations.
In subsequent years, words like "swag", "yolo", "babo", and "Smombie" (a blend of "smartphone" and "zombie", describing engrossed phone users) were crowns on the winner's podium. In 2021, the term "cringe" - used to describe awkward moments - emerged victorious. The most recent winner was "aura", symbolizing a person's charisma.
The top 10 submissions for the "Youth Word of the Year 2025" will be announced on July 29. Voting for favorites will follow, with the winners to be presented on September 9. The final announcement will be made at the Frankfurt Book Fair on October 18.
The search for the next "Youth Word of the Year" reaffirms Langenscheidt's commitment to capturing and cataloging young people's lingo, offering readers a glimpse into the dynamic and evolving language of youth.
- Youth Word
- Langenscheidt
- Stuttgart
- Germany
- Mobile phone
- Contenders for the "Youth Word of the Year 2025" are invited to submit their nominations online, following the tradition initiated by Langenscheidt in Stuttgart, Germany.
- Langenscheidt, a German publisher, has emphasized that the competition is not confined to German terms, encouraging submissions from various languages such as English, Turkish, or Arabic, as long as the words have become part of the young people's everyday language.
- In the past, terms reflecting lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, technology, social-media, entertainment, and even mobile phone usage have been recognized as tomorrow's words by Langenscheidt, offering a reflection of the dynamic and evolving language of youth.
