Macquarie Dictionary word of the year: Milkshake duck

MACQUARIE Dictionary says its word of the year sums up an era of “fake news” and viral outrage — but a lot of people say they have never heard of it.

MILKSHAKE duck has been revealed as Macquarie Dictionary’s “word” of the year for 2017 today — but what on earth does it mean?

The dictionary defines it as “a person who is initially viewed positively by the media but is then discovered to have something questionable about them which causes a sharp decline in their popularity”.

Coined on Twitter by @pixelatedboat, a satirical Twitter account in June 2016, the phrase was selected by the Macquarie Dictionary as it apparently sums up a tumultuous year of “fake news”, viral outrage and Donald Trump.

“Milkshake duck stood out as being a much-needed term to describe something we are seeing more and more of, not just on the internet but now across all types of media.” said the Macquarie Dictionary committee.

“It plays to the simultaneous desire to bring someone down and the hope that they won’t be brought down. In many ways, it captures what 2017 has been about.”

The whole internet loves Milkshake Duck, a lovely duck that drinks milkshakes! *5 seconds later* We regret to inform you the duck is racist

— pixelated boat (@pixelatedboat) June 12, 2016

2018’s Person of the Year is just going to be everyone that got Milkshake Ducked.

— mick (@swasko) December 11, 2017

One example of a milkshake duck is the red-sweatered, undecided voter Kenneth Bone who became an overnight sensation after quizzing Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on their energy policies in a US presidential debate.

The 34-year-old even described himself as the“huggable, likeable guy in the middle of a really nasty and divisive debate”.

However, his rise to fame abruptly ended when he agreed to do a Reddit Ask me Anything session — which allowed fans to read his entire history as an anonymous Reddit user.

According to the Washington Post, he wrote about “preggoporn,” talked about his sex life after a vasectomy and described forging car insurance documents “so I wouldn’t get fired from my pizza delivery job” while earning the money he needed to pay for his real insurance.

Mr Bone also commented on the stolen nude images released during Celebgate, and argued that the killing of Trayvon Martin — a 17-year-old African-American from Miami who was fatally shot — was “justified”.

More recently and closer to home, Sudanese Australian “community member” Nelly Yoa rose to prominence after he spoke out about “African gangs” in the press.

However, the limelight also faded quickly for the 27-year-old after his claims about his “sports career” and credentials were questioned on social media.

Not everybody was impressed by Macquarie Dictionary’s selection and, on Twitter, many said they’d never even heard of it.

Aussie dictionaries are trying to outdo each other on selecting words of the year nobody has ever heard of.
Today Macquarie Dictionary has chosen 'milkshake duck.'
This follows @ozworders selecting 'kwaussie.'
Anyone heard #milkshakeduck before today?

— Gary Nunn🏳️‍🌈🚴🏼 (@GaryNunn1) January 14, 2018

I'm on social media every day and never heard of #milkshakeduck until today.#toiletmusic on the other hand, I heard it plenty of times in 2017, means you heard a great song at a pub or restaurant while visiting the bathroom.#rbreakfast #macqdictionary

— James One🌈YES👭👬 (@james00000001) January 14, 2018

Never as an Australian have I heard the word/term “Milkshakeduck” never. Ever. #MilkshakeDuck

— Verity Hope (@VerityHope2) January 15, 2018

However, the Macquarie Dictionary judging committee said the use of milkshake duck is growing every day.

“Even if you don’t know the word, you know the phenomenon,” the committee said in a statement. “Milkshake duck stood out as being a much-needed term to describe something we are seeing more and more of, not just on the internet but now across all types of media.

“It plays to the simultaneous desire to bring someone down and the hope that they won’t be brought down.

“In many ways, it captures what 2017 has been about. There is a hint of tall poppy syndrome in there, which we always thought was a uniquely Australian trait, but has been amplified through the internet and become universalised.”