The Oxford Dictionary contains 171,476 words in current use and 47,156 obsolete words as of now. Out of all these words, the chosen word of the year 2018 is Toxic. Yes, you read that right! The use of this word has increased extensively over time. The original meaning of the word toxic was poisonous. As years passed by, we started using it to describe more than just poison. And looking at The Oxford Dictionary’s Word Of The Year 2018 choice, it’s important to realise what it means and why this title was given.
Toxic Thinking
Toxic thinking is all about mental health. What you feed your brain is who you become. We can detox our bodies with juices, exercise and what not! But what about our brain? How do you detox your brain? Self-love and self-awareness are some of many ways to get rid of toxic thinking and stop it from rampaging your mind.
Toxic People
People too are termed as toxic. This has to do more with their behaviour and actions. It could be a friend, a relative, your partner, your family; in short anybody. The category includes many types of people who give out a negative vibe and energy, often belittling people and other acts that are frowned upon.
Toxic Masculinity
Recently, we heard about toxic masculinity during the rise of the #MeToo movement. Toxic here points to the behaviour that is wrongful and unhealthy for a man himself, let alone the people he affects around him because of it.
Toxic Relationships
Toxic relationships, too, are a thing holding a very strong meaning and message. Unhealthy relationships were often brushed off by the people involved in it earlier. But now that it is termed as toxic, more and more people are able to recognise and differentiate right and wrong in a relationship. It definitely has, in a way, helped people who couldn’t understand what they were going through and that it was damaging.
Toxic Air
Toxic air isn’t a new word for us anymore. With the rise in air pollution and irresponsible human behaviour towards the environment, it’s apt to call it toxic.
There are many more situations and ways that urge people to use the word toxic. Frankly speaking, it is the aptest way to describe something negative, wrong and unhealthy for the mind, body and environment. So, now the question is, where is the world headed to? If toxic is the word of the year, we need to pause and think about what the hell is going on. No doubt people use it so often nowadays.
On that note, let’s pledge to eradicate anything and everything toxic in our lives. How is that for ending the year 2018 in a good way?
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