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'Sondervermögen' Named Unword of the Year 2025 for Masking Debt

The jury says the term euphemistically hides new public debt.

Overview

  • The Marburg-based panel of four linguists and a journalist selected the term from 2,631 public submissions.
  • Jurors said its widespread use in 2025 shaped discussions on state borrowing and investment programs.
  • Reporting ties the critique to a reported €500 billion debt-financed fund created outside the regular budget to bypass the debt brake.
  • The jury placed “Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz” second, and guest juror Ronen Steinke named “Umsiedlung” as his personal choice.
  • Other frequently proposed terms included “Asylwende,” “Deal,” “Drecksarbeit,” “Stadtbild,” “kriegstüchtig,” and “Friedensangst.”