Cantos by Ericka Koehler

My favorite “new” word is “reaction GIF.” Due to the pandemic, people interacted less face to face and much more through online communication. The Merriam Webster Dictionary has added “reaction GIF” as a new word for online communication this year, in January 2021.

“Reaction GIF” is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary (2021) as “a GIF of someone or something (such as a celebrity or an animal) that is sent or posted in reply to something (such as a text message or a social media post or comment) and that typically depicts and expresses a reaction.”

I used to say just «GIF» for every kind of GIF but now, the usage is different. I work in marketing, and people say «don’t forget to post the reaction GIF” on the social media of the client.

“Reaction GIF” is formed by the words “reaction” + “GIF”. The word “reaction” means the act or process or an instance of reacting and was first used in 1585 (“Merriam Webster Dictionary: Reaction,” 2021). While the word “GIF” means “a computer file format for the compression and storage of visual digital information. It was first used in 1987 (“Merriam Webster Dictionary: GIF,” 2021).”

In my case, I use the word “reaction GIF” in all settings since I started using it and became familiar with it. In my case, I use this word on the job, when talking to friends, and with family.

References

Merriam Webster Dictionary: GIF (2021). Retrieved from:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GIF#h1

Merriam Webster Dictionary: New Words to the Dictionary for January 2021 (2021).

Retrieved from:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/new-words-in-the-dictionary

Merriam Webster Dictionary: Reaction (2021). Retrieved from:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reaction

Merriam Webster Dictionary: Reaction GIF (2021). Retrieved from:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reaction%20GIF