‘Cozzie livs’ may be two words but that hasn’t stopped Macquarie Dictionary naming it as the 2023 word of the year.

The colloquial noun is a humorous play on cost of living.

It was coined in the United Kingdom but the dictionary’s committee says it reflects an Australian approach to a major social and economic problem, treating it with humour and informality.

According to one British report, the expression first came to light on Instagram and a post recording an interaction between a seller and buyer.

According to the conversation, one says to the other “I can’t go that low sorry babe xx Especially with the cozzie livs and all that jazz.”

The phrase ‘Generative AI’ took out Macquarie’s people’s choice award, the expression a reference to an artificial-intelligence application capable of producing new content.

The dictionary points out that it’s not humorous or clever but touched a nerve with voters.

“A clear winner, it shows that AI is figuring prominently in our minds this year,” the committee said.

By Rachael Ward in Melbourne

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