近日，《柯林斯词典》评选出了2024年度词汇：“brat”，原义是顽童，即“熊孩子”。但现在被重新定义为“具有自信、独立和享乐主义的态度的人”。
Collins Dictionary has named "brat" its word of the year for 2024, defining it as someone "characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude."
柯林斯官网标题：“这是享乐主义与焦虑共存的一年”
那么，为什么“brat”会成为今年的热词呢？
据《柯林斯词典》所述，“brat”一词含义多元，它既可以是一种尖锐的态度展现，也被部分人视为“过于花哨”的审美，甚至还曾作为竞选口号“Kamala IS Brat（卡马拉是个Brat）”迅速在政治圈走红（尽管它的含义仍然有点难以确定）。
Brat is different things to different people; a spiky attitude, a garish aesthetic, even a campaign slogan (the phrase "Kamala IS Brat" proved snappy enough to go politically viral, even as its meaning remained a little hard to pin down).
该词典认为，这个词因Charli XCX的夏季同名专辑《Brat》而变得流行起来。32岁的 Charli XCX解释说，一个典型的 “brat” 就是“那种有点邋遢、喜欢聚会、偶尔说些傻话的女孩，她自信十足，但也可能会有情绪崩溃的时候，不过她会通过聚会来调节。”
A typical Brat, as explained by the 32-year-old star, is "just like that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes, who feels herself, but then also maybe has a breakdown, but kind of parties through it."
Charli XCX当时为宣传专辑在ins上发帖
柯林斯词典认为，“brat”这个词既表达了自我接纳，又展现了叛逆不羁，完美契合了2024年这个享乐主义与焦虑交织共存的独特年份，成为这一年度不可或缺的词汇象征。
Channelling self-acceptance as well as rebelliousness, it's a fitting word for 2024, a year when hedonism and anxiety have combined to form an intoxicating brew.
hedonism /ˈhedənɪzəm/ 享乐主义
从席卷全球Z世代的“brat”心态，到国内青年遇到大事小事淡然一句“那咋了”，“brat”精神显示出年轻人选择拥抱真实自我，对压力与完美主义的勇敢反叛和更加洒脱、无拘无束的生活态度。
其他入围词汇
▌brainrot
“brainrot”是由“brain”（大脑）和“rot”（腐烂）组成的合成词，用来形容因过度浏览网上低质量内容而导致的精神负面影响。
"Brainrot" is a term formed from "brain" and "rot" that refers to "an inability to think clearly caused by excessive consumption of low-quality online content.
▌Era
“Era”指的是“某人生命或职业中具有独特特点的时期”，这个词的流行主要得益于泰勒·斯威夫特耗资10亿美元的“时代”巡回演唱会，该演唱会将于2024年底结束。
图源：视觉中国
"Era" is defined as "a period of one's life or career that is of a distinctive character." The term gained popularity from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which highlights the unique phases of her career.
▌looksmaxxing
“looksmaxxing”是指外貌吸引力最大化，侧重指男性改变自己外貌的过程，分为“softmaxxing（通过护肤、健身等方法柔和改变）”和“hardmaxxing（通过整容和类固醇等硬核改变）”，两者都旨在“最大限度地提高一个人的外表吸引力”。
"Looksmaxxing" can be divided into "softmaxxing" and "hardmaxxing," both aimed at maximizing the attractiveness of one's physical appearance.
外国网红Kareem Shami因在三年中致力于健身护肤等而变帅，在海外社交媒体走红，不忘加上“looksmaxxing”的标签
▌rawdogging
“rawdogging”是TikTok上的热门词条，指的是在飞机上只盯着前方座位或航迹图，什么都不做，包括不看手机、不看电影、不听音乐，甚至不吃饭喝水……本质上是指“在没有准备、支持或设备的情况下进行一项活动”。
"Rawdogging" is a TikTok trend where people, while on a plane, do nothing but stare at the seat in front of them or the flight path map — essentially, "undertaking an activity without preparation, support, or equipment."
▌anti-tourism
“anti-tourism”指的是反对大规模旅游，尤其是在旅游人潮过剩的情况下，欧洲不少国家的民众都表达了反对的声音。
"Anti-tourism" refers to "opposition to or action against large-scale tourism," a movement expressed in many European countries in response to the overcrowding caused by mass tourism.
▌delulu
“delulu”用来形容某类人的想法或期待完全错误或不切实际，是“delusional”一词的缩写。这个词曾在TikTok上爆火。一开始的用法是出自于KPOP圈。有些粉丝们幻想自己跟喜欢的偶像在交往等等，这些人就被形容为“delulu”。
TikTok博主用delulu为话题发布视频
"Delulu" describes someone whose thoughts or expectations are completely unrealistic, meaning they are "utterly mistaken or unrealistic in one's ideas or expectations."
▌romantasy
“romantasy”是一种将浪漫小说与奇幻元素结合的文学类型，通常以奇幻世界为背景，包含仙女、龙、魔法等元素，并融入经典的浪漫情节，如从敌人到恋人、灵魂伴侣或三角恋等。
图源：视觉中国
"Romantasy" is "a literary genre that combines romantic fiction with fantasy," often set in magical worlds filled with fairies, dragons, and other fantastical elements, alongside classic romantic tropes like enemies-to-lovers, soulmates, and love triangles.
▌yapping
“yapping”指的是长篇大论、喋喋不休，尤其是谈论无关紧要的事情。例如：“She keeps yapping at me about Joe.” （她没完没了和我叨叨关于乔的事。）
"Yapping" refers to "talking at length, especially about inconsequential matters".
语言是时代的镜像，它不断地记录和映射着社会的变迁与人们的情感。尽管我们生活在信息和科技飞速发展的时代，但某些语言元素依然能够穿越时光，焕发新的生命。
柯林斯官网称，“brat”这个词最早出现在16世纪，经历了数百年的演变，如今已成为年轻人自信、反叛与自我接纳的象征。而“yapping”作为一个源自17世纪的词汇，它的回归则提醒我们，无论世界如何变化，某些事情始终不变，在互联网时代，仍然会有一些人喜欢喋喋不休。
Language serves as a mirror of the times, continuously reflecting the evolving landscape of society and the emotions that shape it, as evidenced by the revival of words like "Brat" and "Yapping". Even as digital communication dominates, we are still drawn to the simplicity and immediacy of oral expression, demonstrating that, through all its evolution, language remains a steadfast reflection of our quest for freedom, individuality, and connection.
今天，尽管社交媒体和数字化沟通占据主导地位，但我们依旧无法避免通过最原始的方式——口头表达，去连接彼此。
你的年度词汇（中文或英文）是什么？留言说说吧！
来源：柯林斯词典官网 21世纪英文报