When the citizens of the world scramble to make their long list of New Year’s resolutions, dictionaries all around the world are scrambling to compare and contrast the most prevalent words to crown it the ultimate prize— the “word of the year.” The word of the year is the word that embodies the spirit of the English language that specific year. But more often than not, it is a word that Gen-Z has pushed upon the English-speaking population.
While organizations usually only present to the audience one word or phrase that gives a window into how society as a whole thought in the previous year, we at The Tower like to go above and beyond. Grounded in the vernacular of Bishopians, here are our Staff picks for word of the year.
Stevie Turquand (‘26):
“Sus.” Short for suspicious, “sus” has gained more meaning than just wary and dubious. Sus has become the all-encompassing word for any mood. If you failed a test but did not want to reveal your lack of studying or understanding, the test was simply “sus.” If a friend isn’t at school and won’t answer their texts, their behavior is “sus.”
“Sus” explains emotions that are hazing and unidentifiable. The word stands as an explanation that lacks substance, yet gets a point across. Keep your ears open for this catchy and addictive word around campus.
Ivy Yang (‘28):
It’s delulu, the word of the year for Bishop’s—because sometimes, fantasy feels like the only way to survive.
“Delulu,” short for delusional, refers to having unrealistic expectations or beliefs, often paired with the mantra “delulu is the solulu”—meaning delusion is the solution. In 2024, wild dreams, improbable plans, and the occasional reality check were everywhere.
At Bishop’s, where homework piles high, grades shift unpredictably, and stress is a constant, slipping into a delulu mindset can be a welcome escape. Pretending everything’s daisies and rainbows won’t stop reality from barging in, but until then, delulu might just be the solulu.
Maggie Hu (‘28)
Ate. Originally used to describe the past tense of eat, ate has now taken on a new meaning. Now, many people use it in contexts like “You ate that up!” or simply just “ATEEEEEE!”
The uprising of this word could’ve come from a trend associated with the saying “Let him cook,” however it has usually been spoken among girls.
This word signifies a compliment, an achievement that a friend has done, maybe completing a test or doing something as simple as a cartwheel. Whatever the reason, this word has become the new form of encouragement, used everyday among Bishop’s students.
Isabelle Banaie (‘27):
Slay. A four-letter word that we originally knew in the context of murdering or killing, has reversed its meaning for our generation, now meaning something along the lines of “you killed that” figuratively, instead.
This word has taken a special form on our campus, used multiple times a day to describe someone or something or their actions. For example, after walking out of a math test, a Bishopian might say, “I slayed that” if they think they had just aced it. Or on the contrary, “Yeah…I definitely did not slay,” when one thinks they may have just failed.
Slay is no stranger to Bishop’s Athletics. During an amazing performance on the soccer field, a teammate might tell you, “You are slaying!!!” or “That was a SLAY kick”. Lastly, when you are out of words in a conversation or don’t know how to respond to someone telling you about their accomplishments, simply “Slay” will work.
Brian Kim (‘27):
Ironic. Whenever a new trend rolls around in 2024, it feels like people usually end up using it ironically in the long run. Even in the short-term people spew viral brainrot in an ironic manner. At least I hope so because I like to think that none of my friends genuinely say things like “what the sigma”. It also feels like overexaggerating reactions in an ironic way that can’t possibly be real for amusement has been a big theme this year. Originating from the mid 17th century, “ironic” has made a comeback, if not in usage then in spirit.
Lucy Marek (‘25):
Grindset. Bishop’s students were on the grindset long before the term was coined.
Originating in the far-right “manosphere” in the 2010s, the word — which is a portmanteau of “grind” and “mindset” — is meant to describe a lifestyle of relentless work to achieve financial and personal success. But while it started as a way for self-proclaimed “sigmas” or “alpha males” to tout their workout routines and Wall Street bets, it has long since seeped into the mainstream and become a satirical phrase.
At Bishop’s, it is not uncommon to hear someone say they can’t go to a movie, they’re on the grindset; they can’t see that theater production, they’re on the grindset; they’re going to miss lunch, they’re on the grindset. But while it’s said in a joking way, other students know: when someone has a math test coming up, it couldn’t be more serious.
Yina Shate (‘26):
Low-key. It’s high-key, a counterintuitive word of the year for Bishopians—because nothing about Bishop’s, at Bishop’s, and related to Bishop’s is “low-key.”
We are a high-strung community of over-achieving kids and teachers with high expectations. We do not do anything with a “low-key” mindset, it is all or nothing.
And yet, we use it to articulate our uncertain and slightly negative uncertain feelings about a certain situation. “I low-key failed this test.” When a Bishopian says they “low-key (insert verb),” they most likely “high-key (insert verb).” Quite a different approach and usage from its first known sighting in 1895 relating to a deep musical tone according to Online Etymology Dictionary.
Nonetheless, we low-key vibe with it.
A tour around which words Tower members think deserve the title of word of the year is a tour around the world in 2024. It brings us as a community a little closer to reflecting on 2024, as well as a little closer to recognizing what’s to come in 2025. With that, cheers to another year filled with unexpectedly old English words transformed into Gen-Z slang.
