Taylor Swift inspires Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year
Taylor Swift’s cultural dominance has reached new heights as her relationship with fans shapes the English language itself.
Is there nothing she can’t do?
After her unparalleled tour success, a wedding announcement that broke the internet, and a latest album that is already at the top of Spotify, it seems no feat is too great for the pop icon.
The hit lyricist’s latest achievement is inspiring Cambridge Dictionary’s new Word of the Year.
The word “parasocial” has been awarded the title, and it’s defined as: “Involving or relating to a connection that someone feels between themselves and a famous person they do not know, a character in a book, film, TV series, etc., or an artificial intelligence.”
The buzz that surrounded the singer wedding and the thousands of Swifties who expressed a desire to attend spoke to the new power and scope of parasocial relationships.
“Millions of people are engaged in parasocial relationships; many more are simply intrigued by their rise,” said Colin McIntosh, editor of the Cambridge Dictionary.
One X user shared a picture of the couple with the caption: “It feels like one of those nights my Swiftie parasocialism kicks in.”
Another reacted to celebrity gossip, writing: “Not trying not to be parasocial but I want to know what happened.”
However, the phrase has also been used in a negative light, highlighting the dangers of feeling a connection with someone you don’t know.
After a post was made about heart-throb Jacob Elordi and actor Mia Goth was shared on TikTok, one user predicted there would be backlash: ‘Here come the parasocial freaks …”
“The parasocial relationships with islanders are genuinely scary,” one commented, speaking on viewers’ relationships those appearing on reality TV show Love Island.
“Taylor Swift selling art she created is exploitative and taking advantage of a parasocial relationship,” another criticised.
TAYLOR’S SWEET WEDDING SNAP
Taylor Swift appears ready to get her wedding on if a new photo from her friend Selena Gomez’s big day is anything to go by.
The Opalite singer stars in a fresh carousel of images shared to Instagram by Gomez’s new husband Benny Blanco with the caption: “Promise to love you forever.”
Swift and Gomez, who have been close friends for almost 20 years, held hands in the intimate black and white picture.
Set to the song “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, Blanco shared intimate moments from his private ceremony, which took place on September 27 in Santa Barbara, California.
It came after Gomez celebrated her pal’s new album launch last month in a video which revealed Swift was honoured with the duty of helping her get ready for the ceremony.
TRUMP’S TAYLOR SWIFT BACKFLIP
The White House appears to have a number of resident Swifties with songs from The Life of a Showgirl making it onto the US government’s official social media channels three times in recent weeks.
The song choices have raised eyebrows given President Donald Trump posted in capital letters “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT” on his Truth Social account during the election campaign after she endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris.
The White House first posted a track from the album on November 2 when they created a TikTok carousel of images to The Fate of Ophelia.
“Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes,” Swift sings as photos of the team (Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance) and the vibes (First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance) are flashed on screen.
The second TikTok was shared by the Team Trump campaign account to the strains of Father Figure.
“I was your father figure, you pulled the wrong trigger, this empire belongs to me,” Swift croons as iconic imagery of President Trump pumping a fist in the air after a failed assassination attempt is played.
The final clip features the First Lady accepting the Patriot of the Year award with Opalite playing in the background.
When asked about the use of Swift’s music, a spokesperson for the White House gave a scathing response to US outlet The Wrap.
“We made this video because we knew fake news media brands like The Wrap would breathlessly amplify them. Congrats, you got played,” the statement reads.
Swift has not yet commented on the use of her music by the Trump administration.
Celine Dion, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Abba and the Foo Fighters all released statements demanding Team Trump stop using their music at his campaign rallies and Olivia Rodrigo’s song All-American B**** was removed by Instagram from a post celebrating a recent immigration crackdown after she complained.
SWIFT TO FILM ELIZABETH TAYLOR MUSIC VIDEO IN LONDON
Swift has revealed the next musical move in her career after releasing the record-breaking Life of a Showgirl album.
The pop icon is jetting across the pond to pay homage to a screen legend in her latest music video.
Elizabeth Taylor was a British-American actor and is also the title of one of Swift’s top songs – with Rolling Stone considering it the best of the album.
Taylor was born in England and London has been earmarked as a film location for the song’s video clip.
An insider revealed the Ophelia singer is setting off to the UK capital to British newspaper The Sun on Sunday.
“Taylor is super excited to be back in London filming for her new music video,” a source told the outlet.
“Elizabeth Taylor is a British icon and Taylor wants to pay homage by shooting scenes in the capital.
“Taylor has always written about her love for London, and the video will capture different locations around the city.”
Dame Elizabeth, who passed away in 2011, starred in Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and A Place in the Sun.
During an interview, the actor’ son Christopher Wilding said Taylor Swift’s spirit reminded him of his late mother.
Swift said later how she admired the actor, with the top track detailing the pressures of love and fame.
The Shake it Off singer has faced her fair share of public scrutiny when it comes to romantic endeavours which might relate to Elizabeth Taylor, who was famously married eight times.
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Originally published as Taylor Swift inspires Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year
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