What was the slang word of 2013?

How “Selfie” Took Over 2013

It was everywhere—in social feeds, celebrity snapshots, and even awkward bathroom mirrors. In 2013, the word "selfie" didn’t just trend; it exploded into the cultural lexicon with such force that Oxford Dictionaries crowned it the Word of the Year.

Defined as a photo taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone and shared instantly online, the selfie became more than just a fad—it was a phenomenon. From red carpets to remote mountaintops, people were capturing their own faces with a tap and a flash. Oxford noted the word’s meteoric rise, citing a 17,000% increase in usage frequency over the previous year.

But it wasn’t just about vanity. The selfie evolved into a tool of identity, protest, and connection. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian normalized it, while movements used selfies to rally support and visibility. Even astronauts snapped them—Chris Hadfield famously took a selfie in space, proving the form’s universal appeal.

Interestingly, while Oxford celebrated “selfie,” other linguistic watchdogs had different takes. The Global Language Monitor tracked internet buzzwords like “fail,” “hashtag,” and “deficit” as dominant terms, reflecting a digital culture obsessed with quick judgment, real-time conversation, and economic anxiety. Yet none captured the spirit of the year quite like “selfie”—a word both playful and profound, simple yet symbolic of a self-documenting age.

It wasn’t just about taking a picture. It was about claiming space, asserting presence, and saying, “I was here.” In a world increasingly mediated through screens, the selfie became the ultimate personal statement—casual, immediate, and undeniably human.