‘Rage bait’ named word of the year by Oxford University Press

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Kevin RawlinsonDecember 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Oxford University Press has named "rage bait" as its word of the year, reflecting a significant increase in its usage. Defined as online content deliberately designed to provoke anger or outrage to increase traffic and engagement, the term's use has tripled in the past year. Oxford Languages president Casper Grathwohl notes that the selection highlights growing awareness of manipulation tactics used online. While the term originated in 2002, it has evolved to describe viral content and critique online platforms. The choice of "rage bait" follows last year's "brain rot," illustrating how digital platforms are reshaping human behavior and thinking. This recognition underscores the impact of intentionally provocative content in today's digital landscape.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Casper Grathwohl 80% Oxford University Press ×2100%

Keywords

rage bait 100% online content 80% oxford university press 70% internet slang 60% online culture 60% digital platforms 50% manipulation tactics 50% word of the year 40% engagement 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral

Score: -0.10

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Source

The Guardian - World News

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis.

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rage bait online content oxford university press internet slang online culture digital platforms manipulation tactics word of the year engagement

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