Hello
While it might be hard to top Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year (“Brain Rot”—which is technically two words, right?), I’d like to nominate a more humble candidate for 2025: The word is “Hello.”
But wait, you might say. What about “Engagement” or “Artificial Intelligence” (also two words) or, gulp, “Megamerger”?
Here’s why: in any language, “Hello” does what few words can—it sets the tone for what’s to come. It says, “Hey, I want to connect,” whether with a loved one, a friend, a coworker, or a complete stranger.
“Hello” signals openness and a desire to engage, breaking down barriers and fostering relationships. It’s the first step in building trust and understanding.
But perhaps most importantly, here at Hydrogen, “Hello” became the glue that held us together as we transitioned to a remote workplace. It offered a moment of connection, a reminder that we weren’t alone in the world. In fact, when people ask how Hydrogen maintains its culture in a remote setting, “Hello” is the first thing I mention. Because here at Hydrogen, “Hello” is more than just a word—it’s a daily check-in that’s been an important part of our day since March of 2020.
The meeting is all-agency, and we block 30 minutes for it. At first, it served as a shock absorber, a way to check in on how everyone was doing during lockdown. Then, it became something more. It filled in for those quick catch-ups over the coffee pot. It became the space where we “ugly sing” Happy Birthday to every Hydrogenite. (We tried singing seriously at first, but soon realized the more out of sync we were, the better.)
Some days, we’re done in seven minutes (a good indicator of workload levels), but often we linger long past 10:30. We talk about work, of course, but we also chat about polar plunges, pumpkin carving contests, movies, football rivalries, or where to find the best Thai food in town.
And while “Hello” has evolved, it’s still what it was always meant to be—a time to hear from each other, make sure everyone’s okay, and offer a hand if they’re not.
As a career writer, words are my livelihood. Sure, some “buzzy” word will likely be a more popular candidate for 2025’s Word of the Year. But my vote, especially as we embark on another year of unknowns, is for a word that’s simple yet profound. Because there’s no word more worthy than “Hello.”
This article first appeared on Mary’s LinkedIn page
