As to year-end contests: I think "Kwame" (Mamdani's middle name) is a pretty strong contender for Namerology's NOTY. If (other) Nancy doesn't write about it, then I will!! (After I write up that *other* article I have to do about Mamdani.) DOGE is probably going to win, though.
Word of the year? "Slop" by usage, I think, although I regret pushing for "enshittification" only to see it quickly become a vague synonym for "getting worse" rather than referring to the specific process laid out by Cory Doctorow, and I worry "slop" is already being used as too generic an insult. "Six seven" is embarrassing trend-hopping, like naming the Dancing Baby GIF the defining image of the '90s or something, and the "oh the meaning is IT HAS NO MEANING LOL" bit is just boring imo.
Important update: the San Franciscan whose sartorial choices you bemoaned earlier this month (in "Some elements of style") just resigned from office. Presumably in response to your callout!
I'm biased, since I'm a lifetime fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. To me, Mamdani is more of a localized phenomenon (yes, with national repercussions), while Ohtani is well-known worldwide (at least, the world that includes baseball). In a single block of an off-the-beaten-path Kyoto neighborhood 3 days ago, I counted no fewer than 5 images of Ohtani (granted, he IS Japanese) on ads for various products. I'm sure many more Canadians, for example, are familiar with Ohtani's likeness (and name association), than they are with Mamdani's.
Reading your stuff is on my gratitude list. Thanks!
Name of the Year: Big Balls.
As to year-end contests: I think "Kwame" (Mamdani's middle name) is a pretty strong contender for Namerology's NOTY. If (other) Nancy doesn't write about it, then I will!! (After I write up that *other* article I have to do about Mamdani.) DOGE is probably going to win, though.
Word of the year? "Slop" by usage, I think, although I regret pushing for "enshittification" only to see it quickly become a vague synonym for "getting worse" rather than referring to the specific process laid out by Cory Doctorow, and I worry "slop" is already being used as too generic an insult. "Six seven" is embarrassing trend-hopping, like naming the Dancing Baby GIF the defining image of the '90s or something, and the "oh the meaning is IT HAS NO MEANING LOL" bit is just boring imo.
Important update: the San Franciscan whose sartorial choices you bemoaned earlier this month (in "Some elements of style") just resigned from office. Presumably in response to your callout!
See footnote #1, posted November 14! https://fritinancy.substack.com/p/some-elements-of-style
Oh, d'oh, I saw the photo from her swearing-in ceremony and thought that was the subject of the article...
Re: Name of the year.
I'm biased, since I'm a lifetime fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. To me, Mamdani is more of a localized phenomenon (yes, with national repercussions), while Ohtani is well-known worldwide (at least, the world that includes baseball). In a single block of an off-the-beaten-path Kyoto neighborhood 3 days ago, I counted no fewer than 5 images of Ohtani (granted, he IS Japanese) on ads for various products. I'm sure many more Canadians, for example, are familiar with Ohtani's likeness (and name association), than they are with Mamdani's.
Namerology's Name of the Year is a U.S. contest, so worldwide fame isn't a big factor.
Can I vote for "enshittification" for a third year?