Permacrisis

Permacrisis

Subject: Economy

Context:

The Collins Dictionary’s word of the year for 2022 is “permacrisis”.

Details:

 In April 2021, policy analysts in Europe saw it as defining the era in which we live.

Concept:

• Permacrisis, which became Britain’s word of the year for 2022, is a term that describes the extended period of instability and insecurity.
• According to –David Shariatmadari –
  • “Permacrisis” is a term that perfectly embodies the dizzying sense of lurching from one unprecedented event to another, as we wonder bleakly what new horrors might be around the corner.”
• ‘Permacrisis’ is a word that describes living in an age of continued upheaval;
• It became a commonly used word in Britain, reflecting the instability caused by Brexit, COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather conditions, war in Ukraine, political instability in the UK and the cost of living crisis.
• Morin uses the word “polycrisis” to describe this situation——accumulation of problems the world currently faces – from conflict and the climate crisis to the pandemic and rising inflation.
• The shift from “polycrisis” to “permacrisis” implies that we now see our crises as situations that can only be managed, not resolved. Indeed, “permacrisis” suggests that every decision to accelerate a difficult situation in order to come out on the other side of it risks something far worse.
• This word tops the list of 10 words that represent 2022.Other vocabularies included in the Collins’s annual compilation of 10 words that represent our times are:
  • Carolean: The Latin form of the name Charles, signifying the current British monarch’s reign
  • Kyiv: Capital of Ukraine. Kyiv is the preferred variant to the Russian spelling of Kiev. Its usage signifies Britain’s support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
  • Lawfare: Strategic use of legal proceedings to intimidate or thwart a rival
  • Partygate: A political scandal in Britain that involved organizing social gatherings in government offices during 2020 and 2021.
  • Quiet Quitting: The practice of not doing additional works that are not mentioned in the contract.
  • Splooting: The act of lying flat on the stomach with legs stretched out.
  • Sportswashing: Act of sponsoring or promoting sporting events to improve an adversely affected reputation or to distract the public’s attention from a controversy.
  • Vibe shift: A notable change in the current cultural atmosphere or trend.

Warm bank: A heated building for people who cannot afford to heat their own homes because of high energy prices.