'Squeezed middle' replaces 'big society' as word of the year

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 11:04 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Ed Miliband's "squeezed middle" phrase has been chosen as 'word of the year' by Oxford University Press in the UK and US.

The phrase, who acts as a shorthand for the difficulties of those on modest and medium incomes during the austerity drive, beat 'Arab Spring', 'occupy', 'phone-hacking' and 'podcasting' for the nomination.

"The speed with which 'squeezed middle' has taken root, and the likelihood of its endurance while anxieties deepen, made it a good candidate for word of the year," Oxford University Press spokeswoman Susie Dent said.

"If there was no obvious winner, there was a very clear prevailing mood. Financial hardship and protest on an almost unprecedented scale have scored our language deeply."

Last year, David Cameron’s 'big society' beat 'double-dip' and 'vuvuzela' to win.
 

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