The tradition of Merriam-Webster’s ‘word of the year’ is a short one beginning in 2003 with the word ‘democracy.’ A quick glance of the previous years most searched for words gives us a snapshot of what was on the minds of those searching that particular year. In 2004 the word ‘blog’ was getting noticed and I’m fortunate it’s still influential today as you would most likely not be reading this. 2005 and 2006 were years of mistrust and defining our own truth as the words ‘integrity’ and ‘truthiness’ took the top spots. The Presidential election year of 2012 saw two words share the honor, ‘socialism’ and ‘capitalism.’ The social network of LGBTQ+ had the general public searching for the word ‘they’ in 2019, a pronoun pertaining to individuals whose gender is not revealed or identify as non-binary. The last three years are very fresh in our minds as ‘pandemic’, ‘vaccine’, and ‘gaslighting’ had effected almost every soul across the globe.
Looking over the last twenty years it is easy to see the interests of individuals with the changes occurring within the ‘culture’, which ironically was the word of the year in 2018. It is also a picture of history in the present day being unveiled before us of world events and the changing culture, some good, but most not so good. What is evident is how most of these searched words over the years are defining society and our current culture. It is where things are going. And sadly all seem to have a political, social, and deceptive agenda attached to them. This year is no different with the 2023 word of the year ‘authentic.’
‘Authentic’ in Merriam-Webster is defined as: (1. not false or imitation: REAL, ACTUAL. 2. true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character. 3. worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact.) It certainly seems on the surface that most people are having a hard time determining what they are seeing or hearing as authentic. There is not much that is authentic.
Merriam-Webster also noted on its website, “Authentic is often connected to identity, whether national or personal: words frequently modified by authentic include cuisine and dish, but also self and voice. Celebrities like singers Lainey Wilson, Sam Smith, and especially Taylor Swift all made headlines in 2023 with statements about seeking their “authentic voice” and “authentic self.”……… And with the rise of artificial intelligence—and its impact on deepfake videos, actors’ contracts, academic honesty, and a vast number of other topics—the line between “real” and “fake” has become increasingly blurred.” *
A great deception is overshadowing every walk of life in our present day. People are being deceived by lies and corruption presented as truth, honesty, and moral by those with a hidden agenda for power to control and push through their ideas for a Godless society. The apostle Paul writes in the New Testament book of 2 Corinthians, “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” (11:14-15 NLT) They have succeeded in convincing manner; what was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong. Is it any wonder why ‘authentic’ is the 2023 word of the year?
Word for the Soul 