Australia’s word of the year has exposed the sad reality for millions of people across the country who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) selected ‘Colesworth’ as their Word of the Year for 2024. 

The term, which is a combination of Coles and Woolworths, was picked in reference to the anger over the dominance of the two supermarket giants. 

The word is a popular phrase on social media with dozens of Aussies using the term to vent at the soaring cost of grocery prices at both supermarket stores.   

‘We are tired of paying such high prices for just quality food from ColesWorth,’ one social media user wrote. 

‘Colesworth is ruining my life!’ another added. 

Senior Researcher at the ANU’s National Dictionary Centre Mark Gwynn said the word has grown in popularity even though it has been used for several years.  

‘Aussies walk out of the supermarket with less after paying more, but then hear news of massive profits in the supermarket sector,’ Mr Gwynn said. 

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) selected Colesworth as their Word of the Year for 2024 in reference to the two supermarket giants (stock image)

‘The blend of the supermarket names Coles and Woolworths into Colesworth provides a succinct way of referring to both supermarkets while at the same time hinting at the negative aspects of what is perceived as an unfair duopoly.’ 

The anger over the supermarket giants comes after Sydney-based firm GMP Law lodged a lawsuit against Coles and Woolworths last week. 

The lawsuit, which was filed in the Federal Court, has accused the businesses of employing dodgy sales prices against customers. 

The case follows separate lawsuits launched by the ACCC against Coles and Woolworths in September for alleged breaches of Australian Consumer Law. 

The competition watchdog accused both supermarkets of misleading consumers by offering discounted prices on hundreds of supermarket products. 

The heads of Coles and Woolworths were previously grilled at a Senate inquiry into supermarket pricing in April. 

Figures by the ACCC revealed the price of a basket of groceries in Australia went up by 24 per cent from March 2019 to June 2024. 

The other words that made the shortlist this year were breaking, climate trigger, ute tax and YIMBY (yes in my back yard). 

The term breaking gained popularity following the performance of Aussie athlete Raygun at the Paris Olympics. 

Researchers at the ANU chose the word ‘Matilda’ as the word of the year in 2023 following the support the Aussie women’s football team received last year during their world cup campaign.