'Queen' voted favourite children's word for 2022
The Oxford University Press says the findings highlight that the news has an impact on children
'Queen' has been voted the Children's Word of the Year, after the country mourned the loss of Elizabeth II.
The Oxford University Press (OUP) says the findings highlight that the news has an impact on children and they absorb the language around current events.
More than 4,000 children aged between six and 14 were asked for words they felt had been important during 2022 and, based on the top themes, three words - Queen, happy and chaos - were shortlisted.
A separate poll, of a further 1,000 children, by Opinium, was carried out to determine the Word of the Year 2022 from the shortlist of three.
The research OUP suggests that nearly half (46%) of those children chose Queen as their number one word.
This was followed by happy (36%) and chaos (14%).
When asked why they chose Queen, many children cited sadness and loss as well as feelings of pride in relation to the late monarch.
The Queen featured prominently in children's lives over the past year, with last February marking 70 years since her accession to the throne.
This was followed by Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, and the country mourning her death at the age of 96 in September.
Many children across the UK will have taken part in Jubilee celebrations last year, and experienced the death of a monarch for the first time.
While more than half (52%) of girls questioned chose the word Queen, this was lower for boys at 39%.
The OUP report suggests the difference between the sexes could be because the Queen provided "an important female role model" for girls, or that they could "relate to her more readily".
Helen Freeman, director of Oxford Children's Books, said: "It comes as no surprise that Queen is Children's Word of the Year for 2022.
"This not only reflects her majesty's 70 years of incredible service, but over the past decade our research consistently reveals how attuned children are to the news and the impact current affairs have on their language.
"It's vital we continue to invest in language development and ensure children have access to a wide range of vocabulary in order to feel equipped to process and discuss the news."
For more than a decade, lexicographers, experts and academic researchers in the children's language department at the OUP have analysed the evolution of children's language and self-expression.
Last year's Children's Word of the Year was anxiety, and in 2020 it was coronavirus.
The OUP also included a shortlist of three colloquial words - cool, sick/sic and slay - in its survey of 1,000 children.
Two in five (40%) chose cool to be their top slang word, ahead of sick/sic (28%) and slay (15%).
Queen Elizabeth II through the years:
Prince Albert and Lady Elizabeth with the new born Princess Elizabeth
Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) was born on 21st April 1926 in Mayfair, London.
Queen Elizabeth II as a baby
In October 1926 this rare photo of the young Princess Elizabeth was released.
The Queen has been a fan of corgis from an early age
Princess Elizabeth walking a Corgi in London's Hyde Park.
Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth enjoyed acting when they were younger
Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth act in the pantomime of Cinderella at Windsor Castle.
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret gave a radio broadcast
On 10th October 1940 Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret made a broadcast to the children of the Empire during World War II.
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on their wedding day
Princess Elizabeth, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh on their wedding day, 20th November 1947.
Princess Elizabeth poses with her newborn Prince Charles
Prince Charles was Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh's first child, born on 14th November 1948.
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
The newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth II waves to the crowd from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Her children Prince Charles and Princess Anne stood with her. The coronation took place on 2nd June 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II presents the Jules Rimet trophy to Bobby Moore
Queen Elizabeth II smiles after presenting England Captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet trophy, after England won the 1966 World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Silver Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by crowds in London during celebrations of her Silver Jubilee on 7th June 1977.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Golden Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, ride along the Mall in an open top car on their way to watch a parade in celebration of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
In 2007, the Queen became the UK longest reigning monarch
In December 2007, Queen Elizabeth became the longest-living British monarch, breaking her great-great-grandmother's (Queen Victoria) previous record.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Diamond Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II greets schoolchildren in Victoria Square during her Diamond Jubilee visit to Birmingham in 2012.
The Queen celebrated her 90th birthday in 2016
10,000 guests gathered on The Mall for a lunch to celebrate The Queen's Patronage of more than 600 charities and organisations.
The lunch was part of a weekend of celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday and 63-year reign.
Sapphire Jubilee celebrations in 2017
In 2017, the Queen became the first monarch to celebrate their Sapphire Jubilee. It was marked by a 62 round royal gun salute from the Gun Wharf outside the Tower of London with Tower Bridge.
Prince Philip dies aged 99
After more than 70 years of marriage together, Prince Philip sadly passed away in April 2021. The Queen attended his funeral at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and had to social distance due to Covid-19 restrictions which were in place at the time.
Queen Elizabeth celebrates Platinum Jubilee
To celebrate her 70 years on the throne, Platinum Jubilee celebrations took place in June 2022. The celebrations included a Platinum Party at the Palace show on 4th June, festivals, as well as street parties over the long weekend. The celebration is extra special as Her Majesty was the longest reigning British monarch and is the only one to have ever celebrated a Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth sadly passed away on September 8th 2022 in Balmoral Castle. Royal Family members such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex reportedly travelled to Balmoral after Queen was placed under medical supervision earlier that day. Her funeral is due to take place on September 19th.