Poison Paradise: Oxford Dictionary Declares "Toxic" 2018's Word of the Year

2018, don't you know that you're toxic?

Every year, various major dictionaries around the world declare a single word to sum up the year that had been. Last year, Merriam-Webster declared it was "feminism", which made sense in a year where the #MeToo movement dominated headlines.

Back in 2016, the Oxford Dictionary said it was "post-truth". Scary, but fitting.

So, what word perfectly encapsulates 2018, according to the Oxford Dictionary?

"Toxic."

The Oxford Word of the Year 2018 is... pic.twitter.com/DotlZxxJVe

— Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 14, 2018

Beating out incel, gaslighting (when someone manipulates you into thinking you're going crazy) and orbiting (when someone ghosts you but still likes your activity on social media), toxic took out the top spot for its broad applications, from toxic air to toxic culture.

In fact, the most common words to feature after that word, according to the Oxford Dictionary, included:

1. Chemical
2. Masculinity
3. Substance
4. Gas
5. Environment
6. Relationship
7. Culture
8. Waste
9. Algae
10. Air

And yes, the Princess of Pop, Britney Spears, definitely had a part in cementing the word in our collective psyche.

Interestingly, our research into ‘toxic’ found that pop icon @britneyspears played a part in spreading this metaphorical use of the word; the lyrics of her 2003 song ‘Toxic’ draw an extended metaphor of a lover as a dangerous yet addictive drug. #OxfordWOTY pic.twitter.com/4Zw9dkOp52

— Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) November 15, 2018

It's definitely a more fitting word than the Oxford Dictionary's choice last year: youthquake, defined as 'a significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people.'

I mean, that's a noble word, but has anyone under the age of 30 actually ever used this word seriously? 

Anyway, say goodbye to toxic friendships, toxic relationships, toxic masculinity, toxic governments, because they need to be cancelled for 2019.

Header Image: YouTube (Britney Spears)