Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

The word of the year is here

And it isn’t what you might expect. - by Laura Barry
  • 02 Jan 2019
The word of the year is here

Cambridge Dictionary’s ‘word of the year’ is usually a reflection of the social and cultural trends that were consistently at the forefront of our collective minds throughout the past year, and for 2018 the word is ‘nomophobia’.

Cambridge Dictionary reports that nomophobia has been selected as ‘the people’s word of 2018’ in a public vote that asked its blog readers and social media followers to choose from a shortlist of four words they thought best summed up the year.

5 people all on their phones
Getty

So, what is nomophobia?

The word ‘nomophobia’ is defined as the ‘fear or worry at the idea of being without your mobile phone or unable to use it’.

While it isn’t a scientific term, it is a word that has become increasingly popular among researchers. In fact, scientists from the City University of Hong Kong and the Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul has said it’s about smartphones now being so advanced and personal to us that they actually become an extension of ourselves. So, when our phone isn’t within arm’s reach, it can make us feel as though we have lost a sense of identity and make us anxious.

As technology advances, our reliance on smart devices continues to grow. Perhaps 2019 is the year we should all prioritise putting down our laptops, phones and tablets to engage with the real world and the people in front of us more often.

You might also like:

The rumours are true: Vegemite Shapes are here

Turns out we've been charging our smartphones wrong this entire time

Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

This is the $5 Ikea product that keeps cut fruit and veg fresh for weeks

This is the $5 Ikea product that keeps cut fruit and veg fresh for weeks

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Professional cleaner reveals grout cleaning hack

Hot cross bun zuccotto

Hot cross bun zuccotto

{headline}

{headline}

We’ve found the strongest umbrella in the world

We’ve found the strongest umbrella in the world

Your old Pokémon cards are now worth hundreds of dollars

Your old Pokémon cards are now worth hundreds of dollars

16 of the best Christmas crackers in Australia

16 of the best Christmas crackers in Australia

{headline}

{headline}

Get a real-life mini Christmas tree delivered to your door

Get a real-life mini Christmas tree delivered to your door

What is the correct date to put up your Christmas tree?

What is the correct date to put up your Christmas tree?

Adairs teams up with Indigenous artist Brad Turner for a new collection

Adairs teams up with Indigenous artist Brad Turner for a new collection

Kmart's fabulous new homewares have arrived

Kmart's fabulous new homewares have arrived

A physiotherapist's guide to working from home

A physiotherapist's guide to working from home

The massive Ikea mid-year clearance sale is here

The massive Ikea mid-year clearance sale is here

A 'Strawberry' supermoon will appear in the sky this week

A 'Strawberry' supermoon will appear in the sky this week

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription