Kurdish slang word becomes Germany’s ‘Youth Word of the Year’

ISTANBUL

Screen capture from http://www.langenscheidt.de/

This year’s “Youth Word of the Year” in Germany is the Kurdish word “babo,” which means boss or chief, according to a poll organized by the country’s dictionary publisher Langenscheidt.

“Babo” derives from the Turkish word “baba” (father) and is mostly used in Kurdish populated of areas in Turkey, German news website local.de reported.

The second word widely used by German teenagers is “fame,” the noun of “famous” that is used to mean “cool.” The third most popular word was a German word, “gediegen,” meaning dignified or genuine, but used to mean cool or relaxed among youngsters. 

The English phrase “in your face” is used by German teenagers as an expression of victorious defiance and is in fourth place. 

According to Langenscheidt, “Hakuna matata,” is also used to mean “no worries” among Germans. The term comes from the Swahili and is used in the Disney film The Lion King.

Langenscheidt worked with two teen magazines and a youth trade fair organizer to put together a jury to select the word of the year, after inviting young people to suggest and vote for their favorite suggestions.

Last year the winner was “yolo,” the English acronym for “you only live once.”

Langenscheidt has announced the “Youth Word of the Year” every year since 2008.