The voice of De Anza since 1967.

La Voz News

Advertisement
The voice of De Anza since 1967.

La Voz News

The voice of De Anza since 1967.

La Voz News

La Voz ad
Foothill-De Anza community breaks the silence with Israel-Palestine teach-in
Business and Finance village prepares students for financial independence

Business and Finance village prepares students for financial independence

December 10, 2023

Debate continues surrounding proper land acknowledgment of De Anza and surrounding areas

Debate continues surrounding proper land acknowledgment of De Anza and surrounding areas

December 7, 2023

Cupertino reflects on the significance of Veterans Day

Cupertino reflects on the significance of Veterans Day

November 19, 2023

View All
Hundreds sold at the ‘Holiday Student Pottery Sale’
De Anza excites students with its first-ever Homecoming dance

De Anza excites students with its first-ever Homecoming dance

November 27, 2023

Black student Meet and Greet bridges boundaries, builds community

Black student Meet and Greet bridges boundaries, builds community

November 18, 2023

Rachel Silveria co-directs “The Phantom” and discusses her film accomplishments

Rachel Silveria co-directs “The Phantom” and discusses her film accomplishments

November 5, 2023

View All
DA Voices: What’s your “ick”?
Lack of resources kills students on the race to transfer

Lack of resources kills students on the race to transfer

November 22, 2023

Staff picks: Favorite album of all time

Staff picks: Favorite album of all time

November 2, 2023

Will online dating find you a soulmate? 

Will online dating find you a soulmate? 

October 25, 2023

View All
‘Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’ named the new standard Spider-Man game
Euphrat Dia de los Muertos installation highlights freedom without borders

Euphrat Dia de los Muertos installation highlights freedom without borders

December 2, 2023

The newest ‘Hunger Games’ movie will have you wanting more

The newest ‘Hunger Games’ movie will have you wanting more

December 2, 2023

Eldritch horror action game worth picking up for retro-shooter fans

Eldritch horror action game worth picking up for retro-shooter fans

December 2, 2023

View All

All hail selfie! Word of the year! Countdown to the apocalypse officially begins

Syllabification: (sel·fie)

Pronunciation: /ˈselfē/

(also selfy); noun (plural selfies); informal

Definition: A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website. (Oxford English Dictionary, 2013)

Story continues below advertisement

The word “selfie” was named Oxford English Dictionary’s 2013 Word of the Year.

Everyone used the word as if it were a real one, so in due course it turned into a real word. Seems legit.

The rather sad part is, people took selfies so often that it required its own name. Then people said that word so many times that the Oxford English Dictionary, the dictionary of all dictionaries, had no choice but to give it its own entry.

This has been a downgrade to the English language, considering the word represents an action many people aren’t particularly fond of. It’s hard to believe anyone really enjoys the slew of selfies they find themselves scrolling through as they attempt to entertain themselves on Facebook.

“Selfies get really boring. I really hate when people post a picture of themselves every day. I don’t think they realize they look the same,” said Mi Ding, 18, English major.

Hopefully now that the Oxford Dictionary has come out with the official definition, people will take note of their usage example of the word selfie, which specifically states, “ … posting a new picture of yourself everyday isn’t necessary.”

Some of the most heinous forms of sefies in this narcissistic world include duckfaces, mirror selfies and everyone’s favorite – belfies, which is derived from that one time Kim Kardashian took a selfie of her famous backside.

“I don’t understand duckfaces and why people think they’re attractive,” said Jason Hong, 19, business major. “Ducks are great. But people trying to look like them, no.”

One can argue, people are improving the economy by taking selfies. According to a study done by the New York Times, Snapchat and Instagram are a 350 billion dollar industry that cashes in on the millions of duckfaces and selfies uploaded to social media websites every day.

Recently, advertising agency BBDO Guerrero started a campaign that helps raise money for Typhoon Haiyan relief in the Philippines by encouraging people to post a selfie with a sign in front of their face with the hashtag #unselfie, promoting awareness for those who have had their lives turned upside down because of the Typhoon.

In a way, the addition of selfie to such a prominent dictionary has helped raise awareness for an important, urgent cause.

Perhaps the Oxford Dictionary knows what it’s doing after all.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

La Voz Weekly intends this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments should be respectful and constructive. We do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks or language that might be interpreted as defamatory. La Voz does not allow anonymous comments, and requires a valid name and email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comment.
All La Voz News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest