Manifest: The Word of 2024, according to the Cambridge Dictionary and Its Transformative Power
The Word of the Year
Each year, the Cambridge Dictionary selects a word that captures the spirit of the time. For 2024, the chosen word is ‘manifest’. This selection reflects the surge of interest in a term that has captivated millions around the world, largely thanks to social media and celebrity endorsements. But what does it really mean to ‘manifest’, and how has its usage evolved over centuries to capture this moment?
Historical Roots of ‘Manifest’
At its core, the word ‘manifest’ has always been about making things visible or obvious. Dating back to the 1300s, its earliest recorded use in English was as an adjective meaning ‘clear’ or ‘evident’. Derived from French and Latin, it was even used by Chaucer in the late 14th century, appearing in its archaic form, ‘manyfest’. Later, Shakespeare himself took delight in exploring the versatility of ‘manifest’, using it as both a noun and a verb in his plays. For instance, in King Lear, the Duke of Albany condemns Edmund for his ‘heinous, manifest, and many treasons’, emphasising the clarity of the villain’s wrongdoings.
The Modern Meaning: Turning Dreams into Reality
And yet, while the roots of the word are deep, its most recent usage—that of turning dreams into reality—is distinctly modern. Today, ‘manifest’ means more than just making something apparent. It refers to a concept that blends the power of visualisation, positive thinking, and unwavering belief to supposedly bring about desired outcomes. This particular meaning is said to have originated in the early 20th century, linked to Spiritualist traditions, but it has found a new lease of life in the digital era.
Celebrity Influence on Manifesting
The wave of enthusiasm for manifesting is largely attributed to popular culture and influential voices on social media. Artists like Dua Lipa have spoken publicly about their success being a direct result of manifesting. The British singer, who headlined Glastonbury in June, shared that ‘manifesting is a big thing for me’, citing her belief in putting intentions out into the world and subconsciously working towards them. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, celebrated for her record-breaking career, has similarly endorsed the practice, attributing her achievements to visualising her success from a young age.
Manifesting During the Pandemic
These personal stories have inspired millions, and the concept of manifesting has spread across platforms like TikTok, particularly during the pandemic when uncertainty was rife. The ‘3-6-9 method’, in which individuals write down their wishes three times in the morning, six times in the afternoon, and nine times before bed, has garnered billions of views, fuelling widespread participation in this ritualistic practice. Manifesting, for many, offered a sense of control and optimism during a challenging period.
Criticism and Scientific Perspective
Yet, this surge in popularity has not been without its critics. Wendalyn Nichols, the publishing manager at Cambridge Dictionary, noted the ‘notable increase in lookups’ of the word, with over 130,000 searches this year alone. Social psychologist Sander van der Linden, however, warns against conflating manifesting with scientific methods of achieving success. He describes the practice as an example of ‘magical thinking’, a form of wishful illusion that assumes specific thoughts or rituals can directly influence external events. Van der Linden points out that while positive thinking, goal-setting, and self-affirmation are backed by solid psychological research, the idea of simply willing outcomes into existence remains firmly within the realm of pseudoscience.
The Allure of Manifesting
There is, indeed, a fine line between healthy optimism and a misplaced belief in magical solutions. It is easy to see why manifesting appeals to so many; the promise of turning dreams into reality without struggle or disappointment is alluring, especially in times of uncertainty. And when celebrities share their stories of manifesting success, it makes the practice seem achievable for anyone willing to try. After all, who wouldn’t want to believe that their deepest aspirations are just a thought away from becoming reality?
A Word That Reflects Our Times
While ‘manifest’ has been named the word of 2024, its journey is not unique. Language evolves, and meanings shift as culture transforms. From its initial definition of ‘making something clear’ to becoming a symbol of empowerment in the age of TikTok, the story of ‘manifest’ is also the story of our hopes, desires, and sometimes our gullibility.
Conclusion: The Power and Pitfalls of Manifesting
Manifesting may not come with scientific validation, but the phenomenon attests to the enduring power of language to reflect our collective dreams and anxieties. Whether you see it as magical thinking or simply another version of positive affirmation, the word ‘manifest’ has made itself clear: it is here, and it speaks to something deeply human—our longing for agency in an unpredictable world.
The Word of 2023: Hallucinate
Before ‘manifest’ captured the collective imagination, the word of the year for 2023 was ‘hallucinate’. This term gained prominence largely due to its adoption within the field of artificial intelligence. In AI, ‘hallucinate’ refers to instances where a model generates information that appears plausible but is not based on real data—essentially, making up content. The rise of generative AI tools brought this phenomenon to the forefront, as users became increasingly aware of the limitations and unpredictable nature of machine-generated responses. Interestingly, ‘hallucinate’ has a much older usage, originating in the 17th century from the Latin word ‘hallucinari’, meaning ‘to wander in the mind’. This evolution of meaning, from human delusions to digital missteps, reflects our changing relationship with technology and the complexities of distinguishing between reality and illusion in a digital age.
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