The New Oxford American Dictionary Shows Support for Local

The results are in: this year’s New Oxford American Dictionary word of the year is … locavore. As a testament to the growing salience of the sustainability movement, the triumph of “locavore”  is no minor prize. The Oxford University Press made the announcement yesterday on their blog, explaining the meaning and significance of the word:

The “locavore” movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets or even to grow or pick their own food, arguing that fresh, local products are more nutritious and taste better. Locavores also shun supermarket offerings as an environmentally friendly measure, since shipping food over long distances often requires more fuel for transportation.

“The word ‘locavore’ shows how food-lovers can enjoy what they eat while still appreciating the impact they have on the environment,” said Ben Zimmer, editor for American dictionaries at Oxford University Press. “It’s significant in that it brings together eating and ecology in a new way.”

Runners-up include “social graph” (the network of one’s friends and connections on social websites such as Facebook and Myspace) and “cougar” (an older woman who romantically pursues younger men).

[via Gothamist]