The most frequently mentioned word this year in the American Merriam-Webster Dictionary, which is the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States, is “authentic.” What are the reasons that made this the first word in electronic searches?
According to Merriam-Webster, users' search for clarity and authenticity may be a major reason why "original" is topping searches in a world increasingly plagued by image manipulation and media misinformation.
The word “original” topping search engines reflects Americans’ concerns about discussions about artificial intelligence, identity, or social networks, as it has become difficult to separate what is real and authentic from what is fictitious and imagined, according to what the dictionary publishers see.
The word "original" or "authentic" was popularized in 2023, say publishers at Merriam-Webster, by well-known artists such as Taylor Swift and Sam Smith who stressed the importance of authenticity in social life. The famous billionaire Elon Musk, owner of the X platform, also called on leaders and decision-makers to express themselves on social media networks in an “authentic” manner.
“Original” significantly outperformed “deepfake,” which refers to the deceptive manipulation of audio, image or video content, in online searches.