Oxford University Press has declared “rage bait” as the word of the year for 2025, reflecting the prevailing online trend. The term describes content intentionally crafted to spark anger or outrage through provocation or offensiveness, with the primary goal of driving traffic to specific social media platforms, as stated by Oxford.
Lexicographer Susie Dent explained to the BBC that creators of such content often benefit from high levels of engagement, including numerous comments, shares, and likes. This phenomenon is attributed to social media algorithms favoring negative and provocative content over positive ones like cute cat videos.
Among the finalists for the word of the year were “aura farming,” defined as shaping a public persona to exude confidence or mystique subtly, and “biohack,” referring to endeavors aimed at enhancing physical or mental performance, health, or longevity.
The selection of the word of the year is based on an analysis of emerging vocabulary and shifts in language usage by lexicographers at Oxford University Press to identify words with cultural significance. This annual tradition, initiated in 2004, has previously honored terms like “podcast” in 2005, “emoji” in 2015, and “goblin mode” in 2022, which described individuals resisting the return to normalcy post the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement of the word of the year by Oxford University Press attracts attention annually, shedding light on the evolving linguistic landscape and societal trends.
[End of rewritten article]
