A dramatic change in the way we watch television has led to “binge-watch” being named the Collins Word of the Year 2015.
Lexicographers – the people who compile dictionaries - have seen a 200% increase in its usage on last year as the nation’s viewers watch TV shows in different ways.
A survey found that 92% of viewers admitted to “binge-watching” – viewing more than three episodes of a series in one day – with 37% having spent an entire weekend watching one show, according to digital video recording company Tivo.
This fits in with the CollinsDictionary.com definition: “To watch a large number of television programmes (especially all the shows from one series) in succession.”
Other words that have been significant in 2015 include clean eating, dadbod and Corbynomics.
A diet of “clean eating” refers to one which avoids processed foods and is heavy in raw and unrefined produce.
Male binge-watchers who do not watch their diet are in danger of developing a “dadbod” - a plump physique.
Anyone with a “dadbod” seen “manspreading” - sitting on public transport with legs widely spread - is in danger of being shamed.
“Shaming”, often linked to body image issues on social media, has seen usage increase substantially since 2014.
Contemporary dating habits are also apparent in words noted by Collins this year, as a Tinder user may “swipe” someone attractive, but if it does not work out they may break off a relationship by “ghosting” their unfortunate partner.
“Transgender” has also made it on to the list, with the increased exposure of public figures such as Caitlyn Jenner contributing to a doubling of the word’s usage.
Helen Newstead, head of language content at Collins, said: “The rise in usage of ‘binge-watch’ is clearly linked to the biggest sea change in our viewing habits since the advent of the video recorder nearly 40 years ago.
“Due to subscription services such as Netflix or Sky’s NOW TV, or ‘smart’ digital video recorders such as Tivo, fans can watch what they want, when they want, for as long as they want.
“It’s not uncommon for viewers to binge-watch a whole season of programmes such as House Of Cards or Breaking Bad in just a couple of evenings – something that, in the past, would have taken months – then discuss their binge-watching on social media.”
Finally, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joins Ronald Reagan in inspiring a term based on his economic policies: Corbynomics.
Ms Newstead said: “The landslide of coverage of Jeremy Corbyn’s successful campaign for leadership of the Labour Party catapulted this new word into the list of words of 2015.”
All these words and their definitions appear in CollinsDictionary.com, while those that stand the test of time could be included in the next print edition of the Collins English Dictionary in 2018.