Oxford University’s Word of the Year 2025: What “Rage Bait” Reveals About Language — and Us

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As a communication coach, one of my five core pillars is language. I love analysing my clients’ transcripts, studying the exact words they use, and refining their messages so they achieve real presentation goals with clarity and confidence.

Many of my clients come to me for public speaking coaching and presentation training because they are brilliant at what they do — but they feel their English is simply not good enough to be on stage. This belief is often amplified by fear of public speaking, especially in high-stakes executive presentation settings.

And yet — interestingly — as a native English speaker living outside the UK, I’m also not always exposed to the newest words and expressions used by children, teenagers or even other adults.

So yes — sometimes I genuinely don’t understand what someone is saying.
I simply don’t share their vocabulary.

And no — I’m not ashamed of that.

I ask firmly and politely for people to explain or rephrase. Or I reach for a good dictionary. And I actively encourage all non-native English speakers to do exactly the same. Asking for clarification is not a weakness. It’s a strength — and a vital leadership skill.

Languages — including English — are alive.

They evolve. They adapt. They are shaped by culture, society, technology, generations and much more. And that’s exactly why Oxford University’s Word of the Year fascinates me every single time. It gives us a snapshot of who we are — right now.

So, here are Oxford’s 2025 choices.

🏆 Oxford Word of the Year 2025: Rage bait

Definition:
Online content deliberately designed to provoke anger or outrage in order to drive engagement, clicks or visibility.

In other words: content created not to inform, but to trigger.

The fact that we now need a word for this says a lot about our digital culture. Outrage has become a strategy. Emotion has become a currency. And attention — at any cost — is the goal. For me, that’s so sad.

 🥈 Runner-up: Aura farming

Definition:
The deliberate cultivation of an impressive, attractive or charismatic public image in order to convey confidence, coolness or mystique.

Think carefully curated online personas designed to look effortless — while being highly strategic.

 

🥉 Runner-up: Biohack

Definition:
The practice of attempting to optimise physical or mental performance, health, longevity by altering one’s diet, exercise, routine or lifestyle, or by using means such as supplements or technology.

From sleep tracking to cold plunges — self-optimisation has officially earned its linguistic badge.

My message to you

Embrace learning new words.
Language is never constant. And perfection is not required in the international corporate world.

What is required — whether you’re in a boardroom, a conference hall or a meeting online — is:

  • Confidence

  • Clarity

  • And the ability to inspire, even with simple language

That is the real foundation of impactful public speaking coaching, effective presentation training, and achieving meaningful presentation goals.

Because that is what truly drives innovation and change.

If you’d like to go further, I’ve created a practical eguide for you:

Transform Your Public Speaking from Nervous to Confident
10 Practical Presentation Techniques to Make a Bigger Impact in Every Talk
(+ 5 Bonus Tips for Non-Native English Speakers)

👉 Sign up to receive it here:
https://melaniehussell.com/transform-your-public-speaking