'-ussy' Named Word Of The Year By American Dialect Society, Another Win For The Extremely Online

The American Dialect Society, a 133-year-old organization of linguists and lexicographers, has selected ussy as 2022's "Word of the Year." While "-ussy" is technically a suffix and not a full word, the Dialect Society wanted to recognize the inventiveness of the very online, who in 2022 attached an "-ussy" to essentially everything.

This says a lot about societussy

— Ryan Jones (@RyanOfJones) January 7, 2023

"-ussy" derives from the slang word "pussy," referring to a woman's genitalia. Long before its meme usage in 2021 and 2022, the "-ussy" suffix was combined with the word "boy" to make bussy — that is, "boy pussy." There are recorded instances of the term "bussy" being used in some online LGBTQ+ circles dating back to the 2000s.

was having a discussion with family about “goblin mode” being the word of the year some weeks ago, and I remember talking about what it meant then

I fear the day I need to explain “-ussy” https://t.co/EDFELuEfl3

— AJ ELICAÑO ORDINARY TIME PARODY MICROBLOG (@anelicano) January 8, 2023

The term was popularized on TikTok in late 2021 and then blossomed in 2022 as users added "-ussy" to all kinds of things.

My ancestors trying to stop me from adding “-ussy” to my 10th noun of the day pic.twitter.com/B5t3MPEjK3

— Deku (@DpsDeku) December 29, 2022

it’s clear enough that -ussy has a literal sense referring to tangible and gratifying cavities, and a figurative sense which indexes the owner’s authentic and whole hearted commitment to providing pleasure

— Alayo Tripp, PhD (@phonotactician) January 7, 2023

They what

— Connor Gordon (@ConnorGordon713) January 8, 2023

Through the selection of "-ussy," the American Dialect Society is recognizing "creativity in new word formation (that) has been embraced online in venues like TikTok."

Reportedly, runner-ups included rizz and "Brandon" from the Dark Brandon series of memes that widely circulated last year.

-USSY #WOTY22 pic.twitter.com/V32aCjeKjd

— Kirby Conrod (@kirbyconrod) January 7, 2023

Some online, however, pointed towards earlier uses of the "-ussy" suffix.

I feel like all of these "-ussy" posts are forgetting that the downward spiral of the suffix really started on tumblr in 2017 https://t.co/gHSifHZAMx pic.twitter.com/fpSJOJAGKA

— Kombucha Raccoon 🏳️‍🌈 (@cryptid_on_film) January 7, 2023

The American Dialect Society's embrace of internet slang and culture brings to mind the Oxford English Dictionary's decision to name Goblin Mode its "Word of the Year" for 2022.

While some may cringe at this development, others recognize this as just one more piece of evidence for how the "memestream" has become the mainstream.