Tue Nov 26 06:30:25 UTC 2024: ## “Enshittification” Crowned Word of the Year in Australia
**Sydney, Australia –** The Macquarie Dictionary, Australia’s leading lexicon, has declared “enshittification” its Word of the Year for 2024. The term, coined by author Cory Doctorow, describes the degradation of once-useful digital services due to profit-driven decisions.
The word, a blend of “shit” and affixes lending it a surprisingly formal tone, reflects a growing public sentiment regarding the decline in quality of online platforms. Examples cited include the increasing prevalence of ads and sponsored content on search engines and social media, the erosion of user experience on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), and the rise of low-quality products dominating online marketplaces.
The Macquarie Dictionary’s committee selected “enshittification” both as their official Word of the Year and as the People’s Choice winner, highlighting its resonance with public feelings about the deterioration of digital services. The committee stated that the word perfectly encapsulates the widespread perception that many aspects of modern life, particularly online, are becoming increasingly worse. Other contenders for the title included “brainrot,” “overtourism,” and “rawdogging.” The selection of “enshittification” underscores a significant cultural shift, reflecting widespread frustration with the perceived exploitation of users by profit-driven online companies.
First Piper 