Tue Dec 16 10:40:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:
Summary:
Merriam-Webster has chosen “slop” as its 2025 Word of the Year, reflecting the rise of low-quality, often AI-generated content online. The word, originally meaning soft mud, now encompasses the flood of absurd videos, fake news, and junky digital content fueled by increasingly accessible AI tools. While the abundance of “slop” raises concerns about misinformation and misuse, Merriam-Webster’s president sees the word’s popularity as a sign that people are becoming more aware of and resistant to fake and inauthentic content. Other words of interest in 2025 included “6-7,” “performative,” “gerrymander,” “touch grass,” “conclave,” “tariffs,” and the unusually long lake name “Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.”
News Article:
“Slop” Crowned Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year, Reflecting AI Content Surge
SPRINGFIELD, MA – Merriam-Webster announced Monday that “slop” is its 2025 Word of the Year, a choice driven by the explosion of low-quality, often AI-generated content flooding the internet. The dictionary defines “slop” as digital content of low quality, produced in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.
“It’s such an illustrative word,” said Merriam-Webster President Greg Barlow in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press. “It’s part of a transformative technology, AI, and it’s something that people have found fascinating, annoying, and a little bit ridiculous.”
The rise of AI video generators like Sora has contributed to the surge in “slop,” as realistic-looking clips can now be created with simple text prompts. Concerns are mounting over the potential for misinformation, deepfakes, and copyright issues arising from this readily available content. Examples of “slop” extend from absurd videos and cheesy propaganda to fake news and AI-written books. Even high-ranking officials have been caught using manipulated images, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posting a altered cartoon character to defend U.S. military actions.
Despite the negative connotations associated with “slop,” Barlow views its selection as a positive sign. “They want things that are real, they want things that are genuine, he said. It’s almost a defiant word when it comes to AI. When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn’t seem so intelligent.” The spike in searches suggests people are becoming more discerning and seeking authentic content.
Other words considered for the title included the viral term “6-7,” “performative” (describing insincere online personas), “gerrymander,” “touch grass,” “conclave” (gaining popularity with the election of the first American pope), “tariffs,” and the surprisingly popular “Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.”
Merriam-Webster has been selecting a Word of the Year since 2003. Recent winners include “polarization” (2024), “authentic” (2023), “gaslighting” (2022), “vaccine” (2021) and “pandemic” (2020).
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