The phrase NFT (SHORT FOR THE NON-FUNGIBLE TOKEN) has been made the word of the year by Collins Dictionary.
It says the use of the abbreviation rose by more than 11,000% in 2021.
NFTs are certificated to say that you own something digital – so original versions of viral videos, memes or tweets can be sold as if they were art.
And from the Charlie Bit My Finger video to the Harambee the gorilla photo, NFT Non-Fungible Token sales have made some people very rich this year.
Collins Dictionary’s Alex Beecroft said it was “unusual” for an abbreviation to experience such a massive rise in usage.
“Whether the NFT will have a lasting influence is yet to be determined, but its sudden presence in conversations around the world makes it very clear our word of the year,” he added.
- CHARLIE BIT ME BOYS TO PAY FOR UNI WITH NFT MONEY
- HARAMBEE, THE GORILLA PHOTO TO BE SOLD AS AN NFT
- WHAT ARE NFTs, AND WHY ARE SOME WORTH MILLIONS?
NFT is one of three tech-based words to make Collins’ new words list, as well as “crypto”, the short form of cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, and “metaverse”, which describes a three-dimensional virtual world.
OTHER WORDS ON COLLINS’ LIST INCLUDE:
“Climate anxiety” – reflecting people’s growing concerns about climate change and the perceived lack of action to tackle it
“Neopronoun” – words that serve as pronouns but, unlike “He” or “She”, are free of gender
“Cheugy” – a slang term used to describe, and dismiss, anything seen as hopelessly uncool or unfashionable
