There’s no getting around it: We need to talk about this irksome word

In an increasingly linguistic landscape, the shift from "about" to "around" has sparked quiet yet persistent debate among linguists, writers, and everyday speakers. This subtle change in usage has been noted across multiple domains, legal proceedings, public discourse, media commentary, and has led to a growing awareness of how language evolves, often without fanfare. The phenomenon has gained traction recently, particularly in Australia, where the transition appears to be accelerating. At the heart of this linguistic shift lies a seemingly minor yet culturally significant transformation: the increasing preference for "around" over "about." The trend emerged prominently during hearings under the Independent Commission Against Corruption's Operation Rosny, where witnesses repeatedly used "around" instead of "about." One witness remarked, “I don’t have a recollection around it,” prompting observers to question whether this substitution was merely a coincidence or part of a broader linguistic movement. Such instances are not isolated. Across broadcasts, printed materials, and spoken exchanges, "around" has begun to replace "about," especially in contexts involving discussion, concern, or framing of topics. Phrases like “concerns around,” “conflicts of interest around,” and “demands around the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening” have become commonplace, raising eyebrows among those who value precision in language. This linguistic drift has not gone unnoticed by literary critics and language scholars. Three years ago, a writer encountered the shift while reading a piece by Ben Macintyre in The Times, which described a cultural clash in Paris over the preservation of second-hand bookstalls along the Seine. The article, titled “The Seine, they say, is the only river in the world that runs between two bookshelves,” omitted the word “around” entirely, using “about” instead. The omission seemed deliberate, suggesting a conscious effort to streamline phrasing. Yet, the writer found themselves questioning whether such a choice reflected a broader linguistic evolution or simply a stylistic preference. Historical records indicate that the migration of "around" into common usage began decades earlier. In 1987, Ben Yagoda, an American linguist and professor, observed the trend firsthand. At a social gathering, he overheard a psychologist refer to “articles around weight issues.” His wife later noted that professionals in the helping fields frequently employed the term. Yagoda explained that prepositions, including "about" and "around," are inherently fluid, and the gradual replacement of "about" with "around" aligns with a natural linguistic progression. He argued that "around" offers a more dynamic and inclusive sense, allowing for discussions that span multiple perspectives or dimensions. Despite these observations, some argue that the shift represents a loss of clarity. "About" carries a range of meanings, from proximity to approximation, that "around" lacks. For instance, "about" can imply a general vicinity or a broad scope, whereas "around" suggests a more diffuse or abstract context. This nuance has led some to view the substitution as a form of linguistic laziness, a move toward vagueness rather than specificity. Others, however, see it as a reflection of modern communication styles, where ambiguity is sometimes preferred over exactitude. The use of "around" has also found its way into literature and popular culture. Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days exemplifies the word’s versatility, while expressions like “going around in circles” have acquired new layers of meaning, particularly in political discourse. The phrase has been invoked to describe the repetitive nature of certain negotiations, such as those surrounding international peace efforts. In this light, "around" has become both a tool and a symbol, a word that encapsulates the complexity of contemporary dialogue. As the linguistic shift continues, it remains unclear whether it will persist or reverse. What is evident, however, is that language is evolving, and with it, our understanding of how we communicate. Whether this change reflects a deeper cultural shift or merely a passing fad remains to be seen. For now, the word "around" holds sway, and its influence grows.