The word 'slop,' often associated with low-quality content, has been chosen as the 2025 Word of the Year by Merriam-Webster. This selection is attributed to the increasing presence of AI-generated content that ranges from trivial to misleading.
In an interview, Greg Barlow, president of Merriam-Webster, emphasized that, 'It’s such an illustrative word,' pointing out its significance in representing current cultural trends influenced by AI. Barlow noted that people are starting to recognize the outpouring of absurd and misleading content online.
Originally used in the 1700s to denote soft mud, the evolution of the term to signify digital content of little value reflects a broader scrutiny of the information we consume. Barlow remarked, 'It’s almost a defiant word when it comes to AI. When it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes AI actually doesn’t seem so intelligent.'
Concerns regarding content integrity have escalated, particularly with the rise of image-generating technologies capable of crafting deepfakes and misleading visuals. These tools have been wielded for both creative and political ends, raising ethical questions about misinformation in media.
Barlow expressed hope, stating, 'People have grown more aware of fake or shoddy content, and desire the inverse. They want things that are real, they want things that are genuine.'
As such words emerge annually, the dictionary acts as a reflection of societal values and interests, with 'slop' encapsulating a pivotal moment in how we view the intersection of technology, creativity, and truth.
