Non-word of the year

Slow and steady: Did you know that the Malay name for the slow loris is kongkang?

An ‘Un-word of the Year’ has been annually selected in Germany since 1991. Our columnist looks at last year’s winner and speculates as to what could make the list of a Malaysian version.

GERMANY’S “Unwort des Jahres 2013” was unveiled earlier this month. Translated as “un-word”, perhaps it’s best described using Wikipedia’s definition: “words or wordings which infringe upon the principles of democracy or human dignity, or which are otherwise discriminating, euphemistic, concealing or misleading.”