#587 | The Curious Tradition of Words of the Year (English Listening Practice)

#587 | The Curious Tradition of Words of the Year (English Listening Practice)

Author: Leonardo English January 2, 2026 Duration: 20:49

 


What do “truthiness”, “selfie”, and “goblin mode” have in common? 

In this episode, we'll see how Words of the Year are chosen, look at some of the most pertinent from history, and explore the winners of this year's prize. 

  • What "Word of the Year" means
  • How dictionaries choose: data and expert judgement
  • Sometimes a public vote decides the winner
  • Common themes: politics, culture, technology, internet language
  • 2005 "truthiness": feels true, not actually true
  • 2013 "selfie": rise of phone photos of yourself
  • 2016 "post-truth": emotions beat facts in politics
  • 2022 "goblin mode": lazy, messy, not sorry attitude
  • 2025 "6 7": young people's meme with unclear meaning
  • Collins winner "vibe coding": using AI to write code


 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/2025-words-of-the-year


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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية


If your language studies could use a dose of fascination, English Learning for Curious Minds might just be what you're looking for. Created by Leonardo English, this podcast is designed for intermediate to advanced learners who are tired of dry textbooks and repetitive exercises. Instead, each episode dives into a curiously compelling topic-you might explore the history of forgotten inventions, unravel mysteries of ancient cultures, or discuss surprising scientific discoveries. The conversation is deliberately paced for comprehension, allowing you to absorb natural pronunciation and complex vocabulary in context. To support your learning, every episode includes an interactive transcript, subtitles, and key vocabulary lists. It’s this blend of genuine intellectual curiosity and practical learning tools that has built a global community, with listeners tuning in from 189 different countries. The result is a genuinely engaging way to build fluency, where improving your English feels less like a chore and more like a series of fascinating conversations about the weird and wonderful aspects of our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English
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