If there’s one word that perfectly encapsulates the chaos, frustrations, and humor of 2024, it’s enshittification.
Each year, a word of the year that best takes the entire year into consideration and for 2024, the people of Australia and the country’s quasi-official dictionary (the Macquarie Dictionary) has given this year’s title to this word, and rightfully so.
What is Enshittification?
If this is the first time you are hearing this word, you are not alone! But, if you think like me – chances are this might become a regular word in your vocabulary because wow – how well it describes life in 2024.
Enshittification is the ultimate 2024 buzzword that hilariously sums up the maddening trend of good things going bad—usually thanks to greed or bad management.
Think of it as the slow-motion train wreck where quality takes a backseat to cash grabs, leaving users rolling their eyes while corporations pat themselves on the back.
Originally born in the wilds of the internet, enshittification has gone mainstream, giving frustrated folks everywhere the perfect way to describe how their favorite social media platforms, apps, and even products have devolved into profit-first disasters.
Equal parts funny and biting, enshittification has become a cultural anthem for anyone navigating a world where trust and quality often get sacrificed at the altar of the almighty dollar.
Another word for enshittication? Crapification or platform decay, same meaning but just doesn’t have the punch to give these the award for 2024 word of the year.
The Power of Words: Why Enshittification Stands Out
While words like brain rot, sigma, RTD (right to disconnect), or even rizz would stand out – while contenders – enshittification won.
As mentioned, enshittification is Austrailia’s 2024 word of the year. Though, let’s be honest – this word has global appeal and should be a top contender for the United States’ word of the year award!
The 2024 Collision: Life and Enshittification
My oh my, how enshittifcation is continually happening in the world around us. Let’s look at a few obvious areas of decline, err I mean that are enshittificating.
Consumer Goods, Inflation and Shrinkflation
Let’s face it, the economy in 2024 is nothing good. The effects of inflation have hit the middle class and now we all are watching where we are spending our money.
From the rise in insurance prices to shrinkflation – enshittification has hit all of these areas of life.
Work Life is Spiraling
From the massive layoffs to the enshittification of workplace culture, has us all rolling our eyes when it comes to work.
Don’t worry, we have plenty of funny work memes to keep you entertained while your job goes to crap.
Digital Platforms are on Decline
2024 has shown us an enshittication of digital platforms. From X (formerly Twitter) becoming a complete clown show to the algorithm and ads of other platforms like Tiktok, Facebook and Instagram.
Don’t even get me started on streaming platforms! Our house was an early adopter of cutting the cord – look at us now! We are paying for multiple streaming services that are constantly being interrupted with ads. The days of ad-free viewing are few and far between.
Politics – Don’t Even Get Me Started
We have all seen the ugliness and enshittification of the United States political system. I won’t go into details, but we do have political memes to give you a LOL break from the clown show that is happening in Washington D.C.
Enshittification as a Linguistic Triumph
Enshittification is the linguistic gift we didn’t know we needed in 2024, a word that hilariously captures the collective eye-roll of the masses while serving as sharp social commentary.
It’s the perfect mashup of humor and frustration, wrapping our grievances in a neat, meme-worthy package that’s as fun to say as it is to apply to just about everything.
In Conclusion, 2024 is Enshittificated
Enshittification might have started as a niche internet term, but in 2024, it’s a full-blown cultural phenomenon that hits far too close to home.
Get your Enshittification shirt, proudly wear this word of the year.
Whether we’re grumbling about social media gone sour, streaming services squeezing us for more cash, or just feeling the squeeze of declining quality everywhere, this word has given us a way to laugh through the frustration.
It’s not just a commentary on corporate greed or shifting priorities—it’s a rallying cry for everyone fed up with mediocrity in the name of profit.
By naming the problem, enshittification turns our collective sigh into something powerful, even humorous, reminding us that while the world might feel like it’s going downhill, at least we’ve got the perfect word to complain about it.
Here’s to hoping next year’s word of the year is a little more positive and optimistic—but knowing the trends, we won’t hold our breath.
