From blackouts to power cuts and all the stages in between, load-shedding has been on everyone’s lips for several years.

According to research by the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), done in association with media research company Focal Point, the use of the word ‘load-shedding’ spiked between October 2021 and September 2022.

As a result, South Africans’ least favourite activity – load-shedding – has beaten Phala Phala to take the 2022 South African Word of the Year crown.

In announcing the winner today, PanSALB said the title is awarded to a word, term or expression that reflects the passing year in language.

Trending words that made the shortlist were inganekwane, gaslighting, xenophobia, Phala Phala and load-shedding.

“It should come as no surprise to many South Africans that load-shedding has been the most used word/term in South Africa as the dreaded rolling blackouts instituted by Eskom have largely defined our lived experience in 2022,” said PanSALB CEO Lance Schultz.

Focal Point analysed data to determine the prominence of the keywords and how often these words were used by credible print, broadcast and online media platforms.

“Ultimately, the SA Word of the Year reflects the preoccupations of South Africans for that given period, and this year South Africans had to contend with the impact of the energy crisis in the country. The term ‘load-shedding’ has superseded the first runner-up, Phala Phala, with over 40 000 clip counts and mentions across a broad range of media,” he added.

Schultz explained that other notable nominees for this year’s buzzword were immigrant, gender-based violence, iSigaxa sendaba (big story) and wishy wishy.