‘Lockdown’ Now Collins Dictionary Word Of The Year In 2020
LOCKDOWN – The term “Lockdown” is now Collins Dictionary’s Word of The Year in 2020 after a sharp increase of usage amid COVID-19 pandemic.
According to GMA News, lexicographers said that they picked the word because it became synonymous with the experience of populations across the globe as governments use this as one of the means to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
Publishers Harper Collins said that it is a unifying experience for billions of people across the world who had to play their part in combating the spread of COVID-19.
Collins registered more than a quarter of a million usages for this term during the year 2020, compared to 4,000 the previous one.
Further more, six of Collins’ 10 words of the year in 2020 are associated with the global health crisis due to the way the pandemic has affected the daily use of language.
Among the terms in the longer list of 10 words of the year include “Coronavirus”, “social distancing”, “self-isolate” and “furlough” as well as “lockdown” and “key worker”.
Key worker alone has seen a 60-fold increase in usage reflecting the importance attributed this year to professions that are considered essential to society.
“2020 has been dominated by the global pandemic,”
“Lockdown has affected the way we work, study, shop, and socialize.
“With many countries entering a second lockdown, it is not a word of the year to celebrate but it is, perhaps, one that sums up the year for most of the world.”
The term ‘lockdown’ is defined as the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces, based on the report.
The dictionary also defines coronavirus as any one of a group of RNA-containing viruses that can cause infectious illnesses of the respiratory tract, including COVID-19.
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