Word of the year
The overall winner of Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year contest (see prior post: Vote for 2006 Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year) has been announced.
May I have the envelope, please?
For being “the most valuable contribution to the English language in 2006,” the winner is . . .
muffin top
(bulge of midriff fat accentuated by tight pants/trousers or skirt).
Muffin top may originally be an Australianism that has spread far and wide.
Winners in categories and discussion
If you don’t follow the Word of the Year awards season closely, you may be unaware that muffin top was a nominee for the 2005 American Dialect Society Word of the Year back in January 2006, in the category Most Creative (PDF file).
Muffin top lost back then to the admittedly stronger contender whale tail (visible thong underwear from a low-slung waistband). Never discount the appeal of rhyming. But muffin top applauded heartily when the winner was announced, at least when the cameras were on it.
After whale tail then lost the overall 2005 award to truthiness, muffin top and whale tail were seen at a gala after-party in good spirits (and wines), chatting away about their mutual interests: drawing attention to the midsection of the body and world peace. Then they went and found truthiness‘s car and slashed the tires.
See also my posts:
American Dialect Society Word of 2006
Webster’s (and Webster’s) 2006 Word of the Year
Australian English Monthly Surveys
The Macquarie Dictionary also wants to survey Australian English speakers every month about their use of Australianisms: Survey 1. I’m curious whether milk run is an Australianism. I think it’s a broader World War II Allies term for a bomber mission or other trip finished without incident.