Youthquake is defined as “a significant cultural, political, or social change arising from the actions or influence of young people.“ The Belfast Telegraph reports that the word saw a fivefold increase in usage over the course of 2016 and 2017, rising to prominence in the period surrounding the British general election.
YOUTHQUAKE is the Oxford Dictionaries #WordOfTheYear 2017. Find out more: https://t.co/BanfCMh2Gi pic.twitter.com/iIQ4ykwUwa
— Oxford Dictionaries (@OxfordWords) December 14, 2017
The word is technically not new. It is reported to have first been used in the 1960’s by then Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland to describe the growing influence of youth culture on fashion and music. However, it has returned to use in a more political context, and has been used to describe the increased mobilization of young voters, the Belfast daily newspaper writes.
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“In youthquake we find some hope in the power to change things, and had a little bit of linguistic fun along the way. It feels like the right note on which to end a difficult and divisive year,” said Susie Dent, as reported by the Belfast Telegraph.
@UKYouth @inter_gen's @UKParliament report launch concludes that polticians must engage with young people NOW not around elections & offer more to younger gens. #YouthQuake report: https://t.co/bA1DRFuUSz Thanks to @bbradleymp @PTylerLords @Peter_Dowd @Amelia_Womack #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/dLbPS577zC
— if.org.uk (@inter_gen) November 29, 2017
While “Youthquake” may have seized the award, it did face competition from several other contenders, also political in nature. “Antifa”, short for “anti-fascist” also made the list, along with words like “kompromat”, “white fragility” and “broflake,” which signifies a conservative man easily offended by “progressive attitudes.”
#youthquake: noun. a movement of young people pissed-off with the same old neoliberal shit, largely inspired by Jeremy Corbyn, see also Momentum. #WordOfTheYear
— Daniel Blake's Vest (@WarmongerHodges) December 15, 2017
I know I am out of touch with the cutting edge music scene now but didn’t think I was with words… but #Youthquake (new in OED) is a word I have never heard until this morning!
— Cathy Leech (@BigHairBigVoice) December 15, 2017
