Top Words And Phrases Of 2015: Deflategate, Cuckservative, Nae-Nae

Aired 12/30/15 on KPBS Midday Edition

GUEST:

Grant Barrett, co-host, "A Way With Words"

The English language can change for the better or the worse, but it's never static. And 2015 was no exception.

Language is constantly reflective of changes in politics, technology, pop culture, you name it.

Oxford Dictionaries named an emoji, the face with tears of joy used in social media and text messages, as its word of the year.

But other words such as "deflategate," "cuckservative" and, most recently, "schlonged" also got a lot of attention.

Lexicographer Grant Barrett, co-host of public radio's "A Way With Words," discussed some of his favorite words, phrases and hashtags of 2015 Wednesday on KPBS Midday Edition.

His show, "A Way With Words," with co-host Martha Barnette, airs on KPBS 89.5/97.7 FM at 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Want more KPBS news?
Find us on Twitter and Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletters.

To view PDF documents, Download Acrobat Reader.