German teenagers are using Angela Merkel's name as slang – and it’s not flattering.
'Merkeln' is in the running for German dictionary manufacturer Langenscheidt’s, 'Youth Word of the Year' competition. The verb, which means "to do nothing, make no decisions, issue no statement", refers to the Chancellor’s wait-and-see approach to politics.
The word is currently leading the pack for the 2015 national poll among other expressions created by young people such as 'earthporn' meaning a beautiful landscape or 'smombie' referring to someone who is so absorbed by his phone that he becomes zombie-like.
The competition has been held by Langenscheidt for the past seven years and aims to reflect the evolving nature of the German tongue. The German public can vote for their favourite word online until the 31st of October. A jury will then take the 10 most popular words, select the word of the year and create a top-five ranking.
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Although far from complimentary, the term 'Merkeln' is seen as a good sign within her party. At a time when young people are less and less involved in politics this indicates that she managed to get their interest.
Angela Merkel is generally viewed quite favourably by Germans and has been urged to run for a fourth term as chancellor in 2017, according to Reuters.
A recent opinion poll put support for Merkel's Christian Democratic Union and its sister party, the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, at 43 per cent.
