GERMAN YOUTH WORD 2024
German youths have chosen their favourite words
German youths between 11 and 20 have chosen 'Talahon' as their second-favourite word of 2024. (Image of Talahan youths: AI created on TikTok)
October 2024: Young Germans have chosen their favourite words for 2024. Following an online vote in which 11 to 20-year-olds participated, the renowned language publisher Langenscheidt published a longlist of ten words. The list included words or terms such as Digga, Hölle nein, Schere, Yolo, Talahon, Aura and Akh.
In the end, Aura, Talahon and Schere were the most popular words.
Aura
In social media, the term is particularly widespread in the context of sports. Athletes or coaches are said to have an aura. According to the competition organisers Langenscheidt, the word first found its new use in 2020 in an article in the New York Times about the Dutch footballer Virgil van Dijk. Since then, ‘aura’ has become a common word in sports.
Talahon
Talahon is derived from Arabic and originally means ‘come here’. According to Langenscheidt, the term Talahon(s) refers to young men who wear fake luxury clothes and walk through the city centre with Gucci bags, tracksuit bottoms and gold chains to make themselves important.
The term Talahon is considered controversial, and in some cases, Talahon is also seen as discriminatory. This is because it often refers to young men with a migration background. This year, the term caused controversy and sometimes racist discussions about migration and youth culture. The word is categorised somewhere between racism, resentment and self-irony. Discriminatory terms are usually an exclusion criterion for the jury - but in the case of Talahon, the Langenscheidt panel did not consider this to be the case. “The group addressed young men with a stereotypical appearance, also jokingly refer to themselves in this way without any discriminatory meaning,” the publisher explained.
The AI song ‘Ich glaub ich bin verknallt in einen Talahon’ (I think, I’m in love with a Talahon) is currently one of the most played songs on German TikTok.
Schere (scissors)
‘Schere’ or ‘die Schere heben’ (lifting the scissors) comes from the gaming world and expresses an admission of guilt or a confession. ‘I played Fortnite yesterday but had to lift the scissors (mußte die Schere heben).’
The longlist 2024
Yurr
Used as an agreement and greeting. It can therefore mean ‘yes’ or ‘what's up’. ‘Yurr! What went on at the weekend?’ (Yurr! Was ging am Wochenende?)
Nein Pascal, ich denke nicht
Expression of rejection, especially when a person has unrealistic expectations. ‘If he expects you to get in touch first and then plan all the dates. – No, Pascal, I don't think so.’
Scissors
A term used in online games to express an admission of guilt or confession.
Hölle, nein
Expresses strong disapproval, like the English ‘Hell no’. “Are you coming on Saturday? Hell no!’
Pyrotechnics
Expresses support for pyrotechnics at sporting events, such as football stadiums. ‘Pyrotechnics are not a crime. We will fight for it!’
Talahon
Originates from Arabic and means ‘come here’. Describes people with stereotypical behaviour and characteristics.
Yolo
Stands for You Only Live Once. Used to justify impulsive or risky decisions.
Akh
The greeting of friends of Arabic origin.
Digga (Bro) Form of address for friends and acquaintances.
Aura
Athletes or coaches are said to have an aura.
Methodology
According to the information provided, the voting included terms that are regularly used by teenagers and young adults aged 11 to 20. The frequency and use of the terms were checked on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Reddit. ‘If a term was categorised as widespread and frequently used, and was not specifically initiated by a campaign and therefore not fake, it remained in the running.’ According to the press release, terms with clearly offensive, discriminatory or sexist connotations were excluded. The ‘Youth Word of the Year’ has existed since 2008.