'Feminism' Deemed the Official Word of 2017 by Merriam-Webster
Remember when feminism used to be a scary word? Now it’s a word we look for in the vocabulary of the people we surround ourselves with. In fact, it's one that's so important and relevant at juncture in our culture that Merriam-Webster named "feminism" the word of the year for 2017.
No matter where you stand politically, fiscally, or even emotionally, 2017 was a challenging year for most everyone. However, through significant moments like the exposure of sexual offenders and the proliferation of female-focused engagement groups around the country, we have hope for what's to come in 2018. Merriam-Webster reports that searches for the term "feminism" increased on the dictionary site by 70% over 2016, signaling to us that more and more people are educating themselves on what it actually means.
What is the definition, you ask? Merriam-Webster defines feminism as "theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes" and "organized activities on behalf of women's rights and interests." This rings true to our hearts and souls here at Bumble; after all, the app was developed to instill more respect, equality, and safety in the dating experience. This year also saw the launch of Bumble Bizz, which we developed in response to sexual harassment in the workplace and, more specifically, to flip the power dynamic so routinely felt and seen in business introductions.
So, yes, 2017 was tough. But feminism being the word of the year signals forward movement in the fight for equality. Feminism is not a trend or marketing tool. It's a way of life — the only way of life. We’re excited to continue participating in the change of relationships and look forward to progress, evolution, and much more growth in 2018.
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