Raymond, a Speccie reader, has coined a new (and possibly very useful) word: ‘twistory’. This neologism is another portmanteau word, that packs two words together in the same linguistic box. In this case, the words are ‘history’ and ‘twist.’ Raymond intends the word to name those who twist history. But is it really a new word? Well, there was once an episode of the American animated series Treehouse called ‘Twistory’ with a similar meaning (twisting history) but its storyline was about changing history, not telling lies about history (which is Raymond’s intended meaning). And in theoretical physics, there is Roger Penrose’s ‘twistor’ theory – but it’s not about history (what it is about, only a handful of physicists with their heads full of algebra understand). I have searched all the major dictionaries and found no trace of ‘twistory’, so Raymond’s invented word still stands. And it is a useful one – because twisting history seems to be happening more and more. The most notorious ‘twistorians’ (writers of ‘twistory’) are the holocaust deniers but even recent events can be twisted, such as those people who deny that protesters chanted ‘gas the Jews’ at the Sydney Opera House despite the fact this was recorded and we’ve all heard it. They are trying (already) to rewrite the record of what happened that day. They are writing ‘twistory.’ Almost as bad as the holocaust deniers are the Jesus deniers, who claim either that Jesus didn’t exist, or that if he did we can know nothing about him. History says that the historical records of Jesus are early and reliable. Only ‘twistory’ says otherwise. Behind our English word ‘history’ is a classical Latin word (historia) meaning a chronological record. It’s that record the ‘twistorians’ want to distort. ‘Twist’ came into English from an ancient Germanic source meaning ‘to turn’ and ‘twistory’ is history turned on its head. Look at Trump’s claim that he didn’t lose the 2020 election, is that ‘twistory’? I think Raymond’s invention is a useful new word and we should all try to work it into our conversations so that it catches on.

As well as choosing a Word of the Year (as reported here earlier) Dictionary.com has decided to choose a ‘Vibe of the Year.’ The website describes the word ‘vibe’ as ‘the current go-to term – along with the plural ‘vibes’ – for talking about the overall feel of a situation or person.’ And what sums up the Vibe of the Year Dictionary.com? The word: ‘eras’. Their choice, they say, was inspired by the year’s most high-profile, record-setting, impossible-to-ignore cultural phenomenon. Here’s their explanation in their own words: ‘In 2023, the word ‘eras’ forever took on a new connotation. The name of Taylor Swift’s generation-defining ‘Eras’ concert tour is most directly a reference to its celebration of the many distinct eras of her career, simultaneously retrospective and forward-looking.’ And, of course, Taylor Swift was chosen by Time magazine as their Person of the Year, so perhaps it is appropriate that she is also the Vibe of the Year. But there’s more to it than that. Dictionary.com goes on to say: ‘The tour’s name also nods to a more personal sense of the word ‘era’ recently popularised as a way that people empower themselves to define – and redefine – their own personal eras, including ending old ones, starting new ones, and vibing with whatever era they’re in right now.’ Since the 1740s ‘era’ has meant: ‘a portion of historical time marked by the continuance throughout it of particular influences, or social conditions’ (Oxford). It came into English from a late Latin word meaning ‘a number expressed in figures’. And given the economic impact of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’ perhaps we are living in a time of significant numbers. At this point, let me show my age – I don’t think I have ever (knowingly) listened to a Taylor Swift song. Are they any good? Please feel free to howl down my ignorance!