Americans have been using the suffix “-ussy” for some time, but linguists have officially dubbed it the Word of the Year for 2020. The suffix can be used to express a variety of sentiments, including comfort, friendliness and affection. As the world grapples with an increasingly complex and uncertain landscape amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the humble suffix is giving us all something to smile about.
The arrival of “-ussy” in the public consciousness likely began with the Netflix series, Unsolved Mysteries. Episode six of the show includes a segment on the mysterious death of Dashona “Dash” Tyson. A number of online viewers expressed their comfort and affection for Tyson by turning his name into a term of endearment: Drashussy. The term became popular among dedicated fans of the show on various social media platforms, and ultimately became a popular adjective used to describe a range of positive feelings.
Since then, the suffix has gained serious traction and has become an important part of our digital dialect. The term has been used in a myriad of ways, whether to express fondness for a celebrity (“the Biebussy”), rally support for an important cause, or simply to express an emotion or sentiment.
In a year in which our lives have been filled with uncertainty, this little suffix is a sign of connection, comfort and resilience. Because of its simple yet powerful nature, linguists have identified the use of “-ussy” as the Word of the Year — giving us all a reason to celebrate the power of language.
As we head into 2021, let’s take comfort in knowing that a little word—with big implications—can bring us all together. Maybe we can even make a resolution to try to use “-ussy” more often next year.
