Australian National University picks its 2024 word of the year

One Australian university has picked its “word of the year” and it exposes a growing frustration felt by all Aussies in 2024.

One university has picked its “word of the year” and it points to a depressing reality for all Australians.

Australian National University picked “Colesworth” as its 2024 Word of the Year. The word is a combination of Coles and Woolworths. It’s in relation to the duopoly in the Australian supermarket world.

If you’ve spent any time on the depths of Reddit, it’s a phrase you’ll be familiar with.

“Colesworth is ruining my life,” one social media user posted on the platform.

Another asked: “How much money have you diverted from Colesworth lately?”

Australian National University has announced its word of the year. Picture: Newswire

“People in Tassie have had enough of Colesworth,” another said.

“Why is Colesworth so bad at math,” one added.

The word was picked following growing anger at supermarket prices.

It was also picked thanks to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s legal action against the super major supermarkets. It’s alleged the supermarkets misled consumers regarding discount claims.

Mark Gwynn, Senior Researcher at the National Dictionary Centre, said the phrase Colesworth is mostly used in a negative light.

He said while the phrase has been around for several years, its usage has recently spiked.

“Aussies walk out of the supermarket with less after paying more, but then hear news of massive profits in the supermarket sector. And with official investigations into some of the pricing practices at Australia’s two largest supermarkets, it’s no wonder that ordinary shoppers have become cynical,” Mr Gwynn said.

The word is Colesworth. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

“The blend of the supermarket names Coles and Woolworths into Colesworth provides a succinct way of referring to both supermarkets while at the same time hinting at the negative aspects of what is perceived as an unfair duopoly.”

The 2024 shortlist also included breaking, thanks to Rachel Gunn’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. YIMBY also made the list. It refers to a person who supports new development in the area where they live. It is an acronym for “yes in my backyard”.

Climate trigger also made the short list. It refers to the requirement for a new developed to be assessed under climate protections legislation.