Lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) have declared their official ‘Word of the Year’ for 2021.
And the accolade this year has gone to ‘vax’.
Winners of the accolade in previous years have ranged from ‘selfie’ in 2013, to ‘vape’ in 2014, and ‘toxic’ in 2018, but you may remember that Oxford Languages decided that as 2020 was such an unprecedented year, there were too many contenders to pick just one word and so expanded its annual award to encompass a handful of new key words.
These included ‘lockdown’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘bushfires’, ‘Black Lives Matter’, ‘WFH’ (working from home), ‘keyworkers’, and ‘furlough’.
Although use of the word pandemic has also increased by more than 57,000% in 2021, the OED have decided that ‘vax’ clinches the honour of Word of the Year.
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Explaining why ‘vax’ – or vaxx, both are accepted spellings but the form with one x is more common – has been chosen as the Word of the Year, the OED said: “When our lexicographers began digging into our English language corpus data, it quickly became apparent that vax was a particularly striking term.
“A relatively rare word until this year, by September, it was over 72 times more frequent than at the same time last year.”
The Oxford English Dictionary definition for the noun ‘vax’ is simply ‘a vaccine or vaccination’, and it was first recorded in English in 1799, while its derivatives ‘vaccinate’ and ‘vaccination’ both first appear in 1800.
Some other similar abbreviation definitions include:
vax v. – Treat (someone) with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease; vaccinate
vaxxie n. – A photograph of oneself taking during or immediately before or after a vaccination, especially one against Covid-19, and typically shared on social media; a vaccination selfie
anti-vax adj. – Opposed to vaccination
anti-vaxxer n. – A person who is opposed to vaccination
double-vaxxed adj. – Having received two doses of a vaccine
As well as the above definitions, the OED also explained that ‘vax’ has generated numerous other derivatives as well that are being used in “a wide range of informal contexts”, from ‘vax sites’ and ‘vax cards’, to ‘getting vaxxed’ and being ‘fully vaxxed’.
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“No word better captures the atmosphere of the past year than vax,” said Fiona McPherson – the OED’s Senior Editor.
You can find out more about why ‘vax’ is the Word of the Year for 2021 via the OED website.
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Simon Rimmer shuts final Greater Manchester branch of beloved Greens restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Simon Rimmer’s much-loved Greens restaurant is no more, as the final branch announces its immediate closure.
The vegetarian restaurant launched in Didsbury way back in 1990, but confirmed its shock closure at the start of its year.
The newer Greens restaurant in Sale had remained open for business – until today.
In a statement share online, the restaurant said the business has become ‘untenable’.
The statement, which was shared with a simple broken heart emoji, added that the team have ‘done everything possible’ to stay afloat.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
Emily Sergeant -
1st November 2021 
