Journey of ‘rage bait’ to Word of the Year 2025
Oxford University Press named 'rage bait', deliberately provocative online content designed to spark outrage, as 2025 Word of the Year. Linguists trace its roots to clickbait and fishing metaphors, while psychiatrists warn of rising anxiety, chronic stress, and eroded emotional regulation from constant exposure. Naming it raises awareness but risks normalising a tactic that fuels division.