Well, now I've seen everything. The Merriam-Webster dictionary has actually caved to the growing Quake III geek community and listed “w00t†as “an expression of joy,†or “It could be after a triumph or for no reason at all."
Interestingly, www.thinkgeek.com, is selling T-shirts with the word "w00t" printed on them.
"The English language is becoming more and more a globalised language every year," said Paul Payack, the President of Global Language Monitor. This is true, but somehow, I can't help thinking that the famous John Keats would never have said “A thing of beauty is a w00t forever.â€
Dictionary Word of the Year
Mirriam-Webster "w00t to the World!"
Trend Themes
1. Geek Slang - The trend of incorporating geek slang into mainstream vocabulary presents opportunities for brands to tap into the tech-savvy market and create products or services that cater to this niche.
2. Online Language Evolution - The evolution of language influenced by online communities and internet culture opens up possibilities for businesses to adapt their messaging and communication strategies to resonate with younger generations.
3. Globalized Language - The increasing globalization of the English language calls for businesses to consider the cultural impact of certain words and phrases when developing international marketing campaigns or product names.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The rising popularity of geek slang prompts fashion brands to create clothing items featuring geeky phrases and references, catering to a tech-savvy consumer base.
2. Marketing and Advertising - The online language evolution offers opportunities for marketing and advertising agencies to incorporate relevant internet lingo and create campaigns that resonate with the younger, internet-savvy audience.
3. Education and Language Learning - The globalization of the English language creates a need for educational institutions and language learning platforms to adapt their teaching methods to include internet slang and cultural references to enhance language proficiency.