Why Merriam-Webster Chose 'Slop' as Word of the Year Amid AI Content Surge

Merriam-Webster’s selection of "slop" as its 2023 Word of the Year reflects a notable increase in searches for the term, particularly tied to its informal meaning of "sloppy, poorly done work." This surge coincides with growing public discourse about the quality and authenticity of AI-generated content, highlighting broader societal concerns about digital information integrity amid rapid AI adoption.

What happened

In 2023, Merriam-Webster observed a significant spike in lookups for the word "slop," especially in its informal sense describing careless or low-quality work. Based on data analytics of word searches, Merriam-Webster named "slop" its Word of the Year, a designation that typically reflects cultural relevance and heightened public interest. The dictionary’s editor-in-chief linked this increase directly to conversations around AI-generated content, which many perceive as "sloppy" or substandard in quality.

This informal use of "slop" has increasingly been applied in media and online discussions to critique the output of AI tools, suggesting a linguistic adaptation as people seek vocabulary to describe perceived shortcomings in automated content creation. Independent commentary from outlets such as The Atlantic and The New York Times supports this framing, noting that AI content has raised concerns about misinformation, quality degradation, and trust, and that existing words like "slop" are being repurposed to capture these issues.

While Merriam-Webster’s methodology for Word of the Year selections is grounded in lookup data, the dictionary has not released detailed demographic or contextual data explaining exactly who is searching for "slop" or in what precise contexts. Additionally, there is no direct empirical evidence linking all increased lookups exclusively to AI-related discourse, leaving room for alternative explanations such as viral social media trends.

Why this matters

The choice of "slop" as Word of the Year signals a broader societal unease with the accelerating presence of AI in content creation and the perceived erosion of quality and authenticity in digital information. As AI tools proliferate, public scrutiny intensifies around the reliability and trustworthiness of AI-generated material, challenging existing norms of digital communication and information consumption.

This linguistic shift illustrates how language evolves in response to technological change, with "slop" emerging as a concise term to express frustration and critique of AI content. Such evolution reflects not only cultural adaptation but also the need for clearer public discourse about the risks and limitations of AI outputs.

From a market and policy perspective, this trend underscores the importance of addressing quality standards in AI-generated content, as concerns about misinformation and trust have implications for media, advertising, and regulatory frameworks. The public’s growing awareness and critical stance—captured in part by the surge in "slop" lookups—may influence how AI tools are developed, deployed, and governed in the future.

What remains unclear

Despite the confirmed rise in searches for "slop," several important questions remain unresolved. Notably, there is no conclusive data demonstrating the proportion of these lookups directly attributable to AI-related discussions versus other cultural or media influences. The absence of demographic information also means it is unclear which segments of the population are driving this trend or how different groups perceive and use the term in relation to AI content.

Furthermore, the long-term implications of this linguistic shift are uncertain. It is not yet known whether the use of "slop" to describe AI content quality will represent a temporary reaction or a lasting addition to the digital lexicon. Similarly, how this evolving language will affect broader information trust and communication norms remains speculative without longitudinal research.

Finally, Merriam-Webster has not provided comparative data on how "slop" ranks against other AI-related terms in public discourse, limiting the ability to contextualize its significance within the wider conversation about AI and language.

What to watch next

• Further disclosures from Merriam-Webster or other linguistic authorities about demographic and contextual data on "slop" lookups.
• Empirical studies or surveys exploring public perceptions of AI-generated content quality and the vocabulary used to describe it.
• Regulatory developments addressing AI content standards, misinformation, and digital trust that may influence language and public discourse.
• Media and social media trends that could either reinforce or diminish the use of "slop" as a critique of AI outputs.
• Longitudinal linguistic analyses tracking the persistence and evolution of AI-related terminology in digital communication.

Merriam-Webster’s naming of "slop" as Word of the Year highlights a moment of cultural reckoning with the challenges posed by AI-generated content. While the data confirms increased interest in the term connected to concerns about quality and authenticity, many questions about the scope, drivers, and durability of this trend remain unanswered. The evolving language around AI may serve as an early indicator of shifting information trust and communication norms that markets, policymakers, and society will continue to navigate.

Source: https://decrypt.co/352369/merriam-webster-declares-slop-word-year-ai-eats-web. This article is based on verified research material available at the time of writing. Where information is limited or unavailable, this is stated explicitly.