The PRECISE Word of the Year: 2020

Merriam Webster has released their undisputed word of the year and it is “Pandemic”.  We find this to be a bit premature as there are a couple of weeks left in the year, but if it weren’t pandemic it would probably be vaccine.  Or so you think!  The Jargon team has done their own research and we have concluded that there is a word that has been used more, has deeper meaning, and is more deserving of the word of they year award.  The word, is, “what?”.

How many times have you rule abiding mask wearers and hard of hearing mask haters been conversing and had to ask your friend or a perfect stranger to repeat themselves.  This happened to me enough as it was back in the olden times, but the rate of my whats and excuse me’s have soared and I can only blame the mask.  Sure it is a simple solution to stifling the spread of germs, but it is killing conversation in its path.  Words are muffled, lips can’t be read, it’s not as if I am dying to talk to these people, but common courtesy allows you two “what’s” maximum.  Anything after that is annoying and the poor guy at the cash register who was just trying to make small talk to put some spice in his day is stuck with a “never mind” and has to scan your groceries embittered.  It’s just as difficult for the person asking “what” because they don’t want to appear to be an obtuse shopper unable to understand the simple pleasantries of a grocer.  But what happens when you have a really determined party who is persistent in making sure you understand every word that comes out of their mouth, what do they do?  They will do the half pull  of the mask and repeat their sentences, nullifying all effects the mask was aimed at producing in the first place.  

Pandemic is the obvious choice for the word of the year. It’s powerful, it’s been on our minds and lips all year, it’s the critical darling. But I’m not so certain Merriam Webster really did their homework or if they just played it’s safe. No one bats an eye when you say pandemic is the word of the year in 2020 but did they tap people’s phones? Are they in stores eavesdropping? Did they strike a deal with the NSA to poke through the eye of the front facing smartphone lens and read all of the miscommunication? I don’t think so. We at jargon aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty to bring you the truth and the truth is people had no idea what each other were talking about this year and repetitions reigned supreme.