LONDON — Collins Dictionary declared "brat" — the album title that became a summer-living ideal — its 2024 word of the year.
The word, used by singer Charli XCX as the title of her sixth studio album, is defined as "characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude."

Charli XCX attends the WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards on Tuesday at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Collins lexicographers said Friday that in the phrase "brat summer," it became "one of the most talked about words of 2024."
"More than a hugely successful album, 'brat' is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with people globally, and 'brat summer' established itself as an aesthetic and a way of life," the dictionary said.
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Collins experts monitor their 20-billion-word database to create the annual list of new and notable words that reflect the ever-evolving English language.
Another notable word for 2024 is "era," in the sense of "a period of one's life or career that is of a distinctive character." It's inspired by Taylor Swift's world-conquering Eras tour.
Rachelle Elsiufi explains the journey of these trendy terms and their impact on the English language.
Other new or notable neologisms among the dictionary's word-of-the-year finalists include the growing movement against mass tourism, "anti-tourism"; "delulu," meaning utterly mistaken or unrealistic in one's ideas or expectations; and "rawdogging," taking a long-haul flight with no devices or distractions.
"With many of this year's notable words being popularized by generations Z and Alpha, we can confidently say this is the most 'brat' Word of the Year list ever," said Collins managing director Alex Beecroft.
Collin's 2023 word of the year was "AI," short for artificial intelligence.
17 baby boomer phrases that kids these days just don't understand
OK, boomers

Before millennials were busy staying on fleek and Gen-Zers were clapping back with "OK boomer," baby boomers had their own way of communicating.
Although there's no official definition, baby boomers are generally considered to be those born between 1946-1964 (but some definitions start and end a little earlier). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are some 76 million boomers in the U.S., which means there are a lot of people going around having a gas and getting hacked off. But what does it mean?
Here's a look at some popular words and phrases that are mostly no longer in use. Definitions are from language site Babbel.com Merriam-Webster, and Dictionary.com.
Threads

Meaning: Another name for clothes.
A gas (having a gas, it's a gas)

Meaning: Someone or something that's fun or fine.
Hacked off

Meaning: Angry. Mad. Upset.
Flip a wig

Meaning: To get very angry (or really hacked off?).
Cat

Meaning: A cool guy.
Groovy

Meaning: Cool.
This one's fairly obvious, but it's likely that no one under 55 has ever used it seriously.
Lay a patch

Meaning: Burnouts, black marks with tires.
Square

Meaning: Uncool.
What's your bag?

Meaning: What's your problem?
"Bag" can also simply refer to something a person is interested in. Example: "Using baby boomer slang isn't really my bag."
Padiddle

Meaning: Game counting burned out headlights.
Dropped a dime

Meaning: Made a phone call.
Moo juice

Meaning: Milk.
Boob tube

Meaning: TV.
Drag

Meaning: Boring.
Kicks

Meaning: Something done for pleasure.
Chrome dome

Meaning: A bald person.
Scratch

Meaning: Money.