The New Oxford American Dictionary has just picked their 2007 Word of the Year: it's locavore!
The past year saw the popularization of a trend in using locally grown ingredients, taking advantage of seasonally available foodstuffs that can be bought and prepared without the need for extra preservatives.
The “locavore” movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets or even to grow or pick their own food, arguing that fresh, local products are more nutritious and taste better. Locavores also shun supermarket offerings as an environmentally friendly measure, since shipping food over long distances often requires more fuel for transportation.
“The word ‘locavore’ shows how food-lovers can enjoy what they eat while still appreciating the impact they have on the environment,” said Ben Zimmer, editor for American dictionaries at Oxford University Press. “It’s significant in that it brings together eating and ecology in a new way.”
Congrats to Jen Maiser, Jessica Prentice, Sage Van Wing, and DeDe Sampson (pic above) of Locavores!
Links: OUPblog, where you can read the runners-up words | Locavores website - Thanks Purdy and Rebecca!
I don't think these peoples' "movement" could be comparable to a religion because they're not really praising anything. It think if you use the same line of logic, any movement in our country's history could be considered religious, but they weren't. It's just another way to bring people together and bring about awareness. It's much harder to voice your opinion when you're in the minority because the majority is supported more. Kudos to them, and thanks for not being an ass-hole back to me. [5 respect points]
I've never heard of a locavore before, Sounds like someone who eats locusts, which would be good, too.
Alex's description makes me wonder if the group does have orthodox eating rituals like a religion or cult. Sounds like the Vegans almost.
It's like the South Park episode where everybody buys an electric car, and create a huge cloud of Smug. They start loving the smell of their own farts. I wonder if the smell of farts from local foods smells any nicer.
You can choose to eat local, or organic, or vegeterian, or healthier food if you want. I just don't see why they need a whole "movement", except maybe to make themselves feel superior.
As for choosing this word, that's just the dictionary trying to appear socially responsible.
I vote making up a word for 2008.
I think you'd be surprised at the number of people who are doing just this.