hypotheekleed – mortgage troubles

Mexicaanse griep – Mexican flu (a misnomer but still a contender)

oeps-gebied – the anterior cingulate cortex area of the brain, associated with errors

ontvrienden – de-friending on social networks like Facebook

recessionista – someone who spends their way out of a recession

spuugkit – a kit issued to civil servants to take a DNA sample if spat upon by a member of the public

tomtomburger – someone who takes a fatalistic attitude to life and allows it to be determined by the state

Twitterazzo – a fanatical tweeter

zeilmeisje – an adventurous young woman with a taste for solo voyages

griepcommissaris – a popular newspaper term referring to the commissioner for influenza pandemic preparations, Marc Van Ranst

While several of the options have already become familiar in common use, others appear to have been selected for their exoticism. Whether or not they are actually used by real people (who but the hippest clique of neurologists would ever have occasion to talk about the anterior cingulate cortex?), even a declaration as Word of the Year isn’t always enough to ensure a word’s survival. Last year’s winner, swaffelen, has mercifully disappeared from the lexicographical landscape. Its definition is not fit to be published in a family newspaper.

www.woordvanhetjaar.nl