Word of the year 2016: What made the top spot?

It divided a nation, ended David Cameron’s premiership and has caused political ruptures that will be felt across a continent for decades to come.

Now, 'Brexit' has beaten 'Trumpism' and 'dude food' to be named the word of the year by Collins.

According to the dictionary publisher, usage of 'Brexit' has increased by more than 3,400% this year, an upsurge it says is "unheard of". 

The term - defined as "the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union" - has even spawned a number of offshoots, from 'Bremain' and 'Bremorse' to 'Nexit' (an exit from the EU by the Netherlands) and 'BrexPitt' (the split between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie).

Helen Newstead, head of language content at Collins, said: "Brexit is arguably politics' most important contribution to the English language in over 40 years, since the Watergate scandal gave commentators and comedians the suffix '-gate' to make any incident or scandal infinitely more compelling. 

"Brexit is proving even more useful and adaptable."

Other words which made the list include 'Trumpism', the policies advocated by US presidential candidate Donald Trump, and 'dude food', junk food such as hot dogs and burgers which are considered particularly appealing to men.  

Lexicographers also noted a large increase in the usage of 'mic drop', a gesture in which a person drops (or imitates the action of dropping) a hand-held microphone to the ground as the finale to a speech or performance.

Ms Newstead said: "Prince Harry performed perhaps the highest-profile 'mic drop' yet in April this year in a short film that also featured the Queen and Barack and Michelle Obama."

Other words that have been significant in 2016 include: 

:: Sharenting - The habitual use of social media to share news and images of one's children.

:: Uberisation - The adoption of a business model in which services are offered on demand through direct contact between a customer and supplier, usually via mobile technology.

:: Throw shade - To make a public show of contempt for someone or something, often in a subtle or non-verbal manner.

:: Snowflake generation - The young adults of the 2010s, viewed as being less resilient and more prone to taking offence than previous generations.

:: Hygge - A concept, originating in Denmark, of creating cosy and convivial atmospheres that promote wellbeing

:: JOMO - Joy of missing out: pleasure gained from enjoying one's current activities without worrying that other people are having more fun.