We only have ourselves to blame for this really.
Collins English Dictionary has chosen the word 'binge-watch' as its 'Word of the Year' for 2015, while also adding entries for 'dadbod', 'ghosting' and 'clean eating' because we are, all of us, the worst.
Defined as "to watch a large number of television programmes (especially all the shows from one series) in succession", binge-watching is what we've all come to know and do when we have a day off and just want to veg out completely. Notably absent from the definition is the inclusion of getting a filthy takeaway, but that might just be us.
"The rise in usage of 'binge-watch' is clearly linked to the biggest sea change in our viewing habits since the advent of the video recorder nearly 40 years ago," Helen Newstead, Head of Language Content at Collins told the BBC.
"It's not uncommon for viewers to binge-watch a whole season of programmes such as House of Cards or Breaking Bad in just a couple of evenings - something that, in the past, would have taken months - then discuss their binge-watching on social media. Once again, the list of Collins' Words of the Year offers a fascinating snapshot of the ever-changing English language."
Other words that made it in include contactless, "referring to payments, smart cards, etc that utilize RFID (radio-frequency identity) technology and do not require a PIN or signature from the customer"; dadbod, meaning "an untoned and slightly plump male physique, especially one considered attractive"; ghosting, which is "ending a relationship by ignoring all communication from the other person"; manspreading, "the act or an instance of a male passenger in a bus or train splaying his legs in a way that denies space to the passenger sitting next to him"; and shaming, "attempting to embarrass a person or group by drawing attention to their perceived offence, especially on social media".
Be proud, we are all responsible for this.
