Dictionary.com Has Named Jools Lebron's 'Demure' Word of the Year
Dictionary.com has named the word "demure" as its 2024 Word of the Year. The word's newfound popularity and cultural significance stem largely from a viral TikTok video by creator Jools Lebron. Defined as characterized by shyness, modesty, and reserve, "demure" skyrocketed in usage by a remarkable 1,200% over digital media, according to Dictionary.com. The platform observed a particular surge in searches around mid-August, spiking almost fourteen-fold that week. This is prepared by SSP.
Lebron, a transgender woman and the mind behind the viral trend, humorously used the phrase "Very demure, very mindful" in her TikTok videos, commenting on appropriate workplace fashion and behavior. Her playful yet wise tutorial—first posted on August 5—captured social media, sparking widespread recreations featuring the phrase voiced over in Lebron's own words. This phenomenon not only leveraged her rise to fame but also improved her financial situation substantially, allowing her to assist her family further.
Airing on programs such as "Good Morning America," Lebron opened up about how the attention has enabled positive changes, from ensuring housing stability to thriving financially beyond mere survival. She has shared that her journey in content creation spanned over a decade, and despite the unexpected magnitude of her recent success, she expresses gratitude and awe toward her widespread influence.
While Dictionary.com explained that 2023 to mid-2024 showed no trend surrounding the word, its perception changed dramatically due to the viral impact of Lebron's TikTok activity. This case reaffirmed the dictionary platform's insights into how popular terms reflect broader social interests and cultural narrative shifts over time. Lebron humorously acknowledged her unintended influence across platforms, further popularizing "demure" and endearing herself to a broad online audience.
Earlier, SSP reported that Davina McCall expressed gratitude after brain surgery for rare tumor.