Oxford Languages’ word of the year is ‘vax’

(NBCNC) — A word many have used all too often lately has become the word of the year.

Oxford Languages’ word of the year is "vax".

Many can relate to the word whether you are vaxxed, double-vaxxed, unvaxxed, or anti-vax.

According to Oxford, the word became 72 times more frequent by September of this year than it was the same time last year.

Experts say the word dates back to at least the 1980s, but it was rarely used until this year.

Oxford says the word is very versatile and can form other words such as "vaxxie", which refers to a selfie taken while getting a COVID-19 vaccine, or “vaxinista”, which refers to someone who is advertising their vaccination status by going out and traveling more.