Gangnam Style Collins word of year

21 December 2012 - 02:00 By Reuters
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Korean rapper Psy on NBC's 'Today' show in New York in September. His hit video 'Gangnam Style' is viewed almost 200 times a second on YouTube
Korean rapper Psy on NBC's 'Today' show in New York in September. His hit video 'Gangnam Style' is viewed almost 200 times a second on YouTube

HE HAS the most-watched video in YouTube history, became a pop sensation with a horse-riding dance craze that has swept the world and now Korean singer Psy may cement his place in popular culture with recognition in a British dictionary.

Gangnam Style, Psy's signature song, has been chosen along with "fiscal cliff", "Romneyshambles" and "mummy porn" as Collins Dictionary's words of the year.

"We were looking for words that told the story of the year," said Ian Brookes, the dictionary's consultant editor. "Some words are from events that have been and so are not likely to stick around ... but others are probably here to stay."

"Fiscal cliff" has drawn a lot of attention as the deadline for the US Congress and President Barack Obama to agree on government spending and tax plans draws nearer. Collins received more than 7000 submissions .

Twelve words of the year - one for each month - were then selected on the basis of the frequency with which they were spoken, how many places they appeared and their longevity in public discourse.

Appearing on the list is no guarantee of insertion in the next dictionary. But Gangnam Style stands a very good chance, Brookes said.

"It's obviously a craze, so there's the possibility it will go away. But it's been heard by so many people that I think it's probably earned the right to go into the dictionary."

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