The worst word of the year in Germany: climate terrorists

It was claimed that the term “climate terrorists” was used in public discourse to discredit activists and their protests for greater climate protection.

The jury criticized this placement of non-violent forms of civil disobedience and democratic resistance in the context of violence and hostility towards the state.

A jury of linguists placed the term “social tourism”, which was voted the worst word in 2013, in second place by 2022.

Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Party leader Friedrich Merz used the term “social tourism” in September 2022 for those fleeing the war in Ukraine arriving in the country, later apologizing.

Third place was awarded to the term “defense architecture.” It was claimed that a total of 497 different terms were applied for the worst word of the year.

In 2021, the term “reject” was voted the worst word. The worst word choice in the country since 1991 is claimed to be aimed at drawing attention to inappropriate use of language and thus sensitizing people to more careful use of terms.