Trump-inspired ‘fake news’ could be Australian's word of 2016

“Fake news,” which is apparently composed of two words, has been voted Macquarie Dictionary word of 2016. The term has risen to popularity when US President-elect Donald Trump started utilising it during the 2016 elections. Since then, it has clearly fit in to the Australian vernacular.

The word has been picked out of 15 category winners. Other words on the list “halal snack pack,” “enby” and “fatberg.” Australians get the chance to cast their votes for the People's Choice Word of the Year award until the end of this month.

“Fake news” is used to refer to hoaxes and misinformation on website concerning political issues, particularly those that involve Trump. In a statement, the committee spokesman said that there has been a point with fake news when people were starting to believe what they want to believe regardless if the story is true or not.

Categories for the People's Choice Word of the Year award include art, colloquial, communication, food, environment, political and social interest. Check out the full list of category winners per Australian Associated Press and how words are defined below.

* Arts: Racebending - The process of altering the ethnicity of a character in a book, film, for a new version of it.

* Colloquial: Shoefiti - The practice of tossing shoes over power lines.

* Communication: Fake news - Disinformation and hoaxes published on websites for political purposes or to drive web traffic, the incorrect information being passed along by social media.

* Food: Halal snack pack - Fast food comprising layers of hot chips, grated cheese, halal doner kebab meat.

* Environment: Fatberg - A congealed mass in a sewer system consisting of material that does not break down.

* Political: Alt-right - Extremely right-wing.

* Social interest: Enby - Not identifying as male or female; non-binary.