A new word appears in the world of youth language every year, which best reflects the spirit of times, creativity and a sense of humor of young people. In 2025, this honor was given to the word "spond" (or in the form of a noun "spond"), which was declared the Youth Word of the Year in a plebiscite organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences. The results were announced today, and the information quickly ran social media.
What does "success" mean?
According to the definition given by the organizers, "success" is a ambiguous word that can be used in different contexts. On the one hand, he expresses humorous disapproval – it means doing something not entirely correct or legal, playing with rules, fooling around or swindling. On the other hand, it can be said with admiration, describing activities interesting, crazy, organizing something exciting or even flirting. This is a word that combines elements of rebellion, creativity and lightness, perfectly entering youth slang.
The origin of the word is not quite clear, but many commentators indicate that it had already appeared in the common language, even several years ago. Nevertheless, in 2025 it became popular, becoming a symbol of youth expression.
Announcement of results and reactions on the network
Online reactions were mixed, but mostly positive and humorous. Many users shared memes, gifs and stories from their own lives, where the word already worked. For example, one commentator wrote, "I was not disappointed the first time," while others joked, "It was used 20 years ago – yes, I am old." There were also voices of surprise: "Where do they take XDDDD" or "I've never heard it in my life".
History of the plebiscite: From "shtos" to "split"
The Youth Word of the Year has been organized since 2016 by PWN Scientific Publishing House in cooperation with the University of Warsaw. It aims to promote living language and observe changes in the communication of young people. Here is a list of previous winners:
- 2016: tros– something great, sensational.
- 2017: XD– a symbol of laughter on the Internet.
- 2018: pitcher– a stupid or naive person.
- 2019: alternative– an alternative-style girl.
- 2020: Failure to resolve (due to pandemic and non-compliance with criteria).
- 2021: sleepulcolot– a place to sleep.
- 2022: essa– something easy, simple.
- 2023: rel– short for "relatable", something to identify with.
- 2024: sigma– an independent, self-sufficient person.
- 2025: Claw– as described above.
Each of these words reflects cultural trends, from online memes to social change. "Shrink" continues this tradition, highlighting creativity and ambiguity in language.
Why is it important?
The choice of the Youth Word of the Year is not only fun, but also a way to document the evolution of the Polish language. It shows how young people adapt words to their experiences, creating new meanings and forms. In the era of social media, such plebiscites help to understand what is "top" and how language affects culture.
Will "success" permanently enter the dictionaries? Time will tell, but it already encourages experimenting with language. If you're not clutching yet, it might be worth a try – it's the word of the year!
