Competition Opens for Austrian Word of the Year

Competition Opens for Austrian Word of the Year

Last year’s winner, Kanzlermenü. Image: APA/Georg Hochmuth

 

The Society for Austrian German (GSÖD), in partnership with the Austria Press Agency (APA), has revealed the shortlist for Austria’s Word of the Year, with entries ranging from “Superwahljahr” (super election year) to “Vokaki,” an abbreviation for “Volkskanzler Kickl,” referencing far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Herbert Kickl’s ambition to become a “People’s Chancellor.”

The public can vote online until December 4.

Last year’s winner, “Kanzlermenü,” was inspired by Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s remark that a McDonald’s hamburger was “the cheapest hot meal in Austria.”

This year’s nominees

– Superwahljahr – refers to the record number of elections across the globe in 2024.

– Renaturierung – refers to the debate around Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler’s decision to back an EU environmental law without consulting other government members.

– Swiftie – a term for fans of US pop icon Taylor Swift. Her Vienna concerts were cancelled this summer following a terrorist threat.

– Vokaki – short for “Volkskanzler Kickl,” a term used by journalist Günther Traxler and comedian Christoph Grissemann. Kickl has promoted himself as a “People’s Chancellor,” an expression infamously used by Nazi propaganda to describe Hitler.

The GSÖD and APA are also selecting an Non-Word, Youth Word, Saying, and Non-Saying of the Year.

Non-Word Candidates

Among the contenders for Un-Word of the Year are “Jahrhunderthochwasser” (century flood), a term reflecting the severe floods in eastern Austria in September, and “Remigration.” Also in the running is “Volkskanzler,” along with “Talahon,” a command used by some young men of Arab background, meaning “Come here!” in English.

Youth Word Candidates

Youth Word of the Year options include “Aura,” “Brat” – the Slavic term for “brother” or “close friend” – as well as “cooked” (describing exhaustion), and “demure,” a TikTok trend favouring modesty. “Heast” (a colloquial “Listen!”) and “Merksch selba” (meaning “See it yourself”), typically used in western Austria, also made the list.

Saying of the Year Candidates

The contenders for Saying of the Year include “Lugner ist immörtal” (Lugner is immortal), which circulated following the death of Viennese tycoon Richard Lugner. Other nominees include “Naturschutz ist kein Verbrechen” (Environmental protection isn’t a crime), a statement by Minister Gewessler, and “Das Schamgefühl muss die Seite wechseln” (The feeling of shame needs to change sides), encouraging victims of sexual violence to come forward and report perpetrators.

Non-Saying of the Year Candidates

Candidates for Non-Saying of the Year feature FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, MEP Harald Vilimsky, and Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

In his campaign, Kickl controversially borrowed a phrase from the Bible, “Euer Wille geschehe” (May your will be done), which drew criticism from the Catholic Church. Vilimsky made headlines by referring to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola as a “political witch trio” who should “feel the lash.” Meanwhile, Mikl-Leitner responded to criticism of the government’s response to the September floods by saying, “Whether predictions are accurate, no one can foresee.”

Austria’s Word of the Year has become a significant event, with voters encouraged to reflect on the year’s social and political climate. The winners will be announced on December 5, following the close of voting.

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