Omnishambles The Oxford English Dictionary’s 2012 word of the year is “omnishambles”. Although omnishambles is still most commonly used in political contexts, usage has evolved rapidly in other contexts to describe any debacle or poorly managed situation. Omnishambles, derived from omni- (‘all’) and shambles (‘a state of total disorder’), has given rise to its own derivative, omnishambolic, indicating that potentially this is a word with staying power. The OED’s US counterpart, the Oxford American Dictionary, has chosen “GIF” as its word of the year. Takeaway: The English are pessimistic while Americans are optimistically distracted by kittehs.

Omnishambles

The Oxford English Dictionary’s 2012 word of the year is “omnishambles”.

Although omnishambles is still most commonly used in political contexts, usage has evolved rapidly in other contexts to describe any debacle or poorly managed situation. Omnishambles, derived from omni- (‘all’) and shambles (‘a state of total disorder’), has given rise to its own derivative, omnishambolic, indicating that potentially this is a word with staying power.

The OED’s US counterpart, the Oxford American Dictionary, has chosen “GIF” as its word of the year.

Takeaway: The English are pessimistic while Americans are optimistically distracted by kittehs.

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    Omnishambles The Oxford English Dictionary’s 2012 word of the year is “omnishambles”. Although omnishambles is still...
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