Publisher Removes Merz-Related Term from Youth Word Vote, Sparking Online Outrage
Langenscheidt Publishing has removed the term 'Multi-purpose eggs' (a variation of 'Merz lick eggs') from the online vote for Youth Word of the Year 2026, citing that it constitutes a personal insult and stems from a campaign. The term originated from a protest sign against compulsory military service referencing Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which was confiscated by police. The decision has drawn criticism on Reddit, where users argue that suppression makes it the 'real youth word of the year,' and from the taz newspaper, which accuses Langenscheidt of sanitizing youth culture. The publisher defends the exclusion, noting it meets two central exclusion criteria. The remaining ten terms, including 'Digga,' 'Crashout,' and 'Ragebait,' are now open for public vote.
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